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written 展段 and 展檀. A method of stone paving in the *roji
露地 or tea garden in which a large rectangular stone path is made by paving
together numerous smaller stones. Nobedan may use cut-stone paving
*kiri-ishijiki
切石敷, mixed-stone paving *yose-ishijiki
寄石敷, round- stone paving *tama-ishijiki
玉石敷, or a combination of these types. The characteristics of succesful nobedan
are given in the IKEIOSHOU SANBYAKKAJOU 怡渓和尚三百箇条 : 'Make long stepping
stones narrow, short stepping stones wide. There are many styles. In some
places they are from 72-75cm, and the narrower ones are 51- 60 cm'. The
joints between the different types of stones create interesting shadows,
the beauty of which is a key feature of nobedan. The patterns of
these joints are called *ararekoboshi
霰零し or *ararekuzushi
霰崩. The length of the nobedan should allow the tea gathering guests, usually
five in number, to stand together when they are greeted by the host. Thus,
the nobedan is often near the middle gate *chuumon,
中門, although it may also be positioned elsewhere. |
