Path Component: "On the beautiful trail I am, with it I wander." Navaho song

Through out the history of Japanese gardens, one of the main intentions of these gardens is that they are to be looked at. Therefore an important part of these gardens are the paths that offer different vantage points of the garden. The paths often start and end in the same place as opposed to paths found in Western gardens that tend to be more functional. In Zen gardens, paths act as ways to link different garden groups, offering a plethora of views as one moves around the garden. As was seen with bridges, paths can be made from a variety of materials that reflect different themes and moods. A path made of earth may

represent a walk through the mountains, in contrast to a stone path that may represent a walk through an urban setting. Another item to note is that paths can be continuous as well as broken using stepping stones. Stepping stone paths are more common in tea gardens, but are also seen in other types of Japanese gardens. The sound that a path makes when stepped on is also critical. Referring back to the early shrines, the different sounds that were present were very important. Over time, this has been incorporated into the design of Japanese gardens and it helps to set the garden apart from the rest of the world.