kamejima　亀島
CATEGORY:　architecture / gardens
　
Lit. tortoise island. A small island made with several stones that express the head, feet and tail of a tortoise. Found in both wet pond and dry pond kareike 枯池 gardens, it is symbolic of longevity and often features in gardens where Mt. Penglai *Houraisan 蓬来山, is represented (see *hourai teien 蓬莱庭園, *hourai youshiki 蓬莱様式). According to ancient legend, Mt. Penglai was borne on the back of a tortoise. The　stones representing each part of the tortoise have names: the tail may be indicated with a 'tail stone' kibiseki 亀尾石 or osaki-ishi 尾先石, the legs with the 'leg stones' kikyakuseki 亀脚石, the head with the 'head stone' kitouseki 亀頭石, the feet with the 'foot stones' kisokuseki 亀足石, the front fins with the 'hand stones' kishuseki 亀手石 and, in a few cases, the carapace with the 'shell stones' kikkouseki 亀甲石. Usually a pine is planted on the kamejima to indicate the connection with immortality. The kamejima is invariably paired with the crane island *tsurujima 鶴島.
　
　

　
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