Herb,
these stones, are the 'shoe removal' stones and the sequence separation from the stepping stones, in which the 'step' is readjusted for easy removal and entry. Note the small stone, which is hardly a stepping stone.
--- tsk, miss-labelling and Doug won't be happy with you at all for starting more myths... :)
e

Edzard -

The Duck bows to the Chicken's superior technical vocabulary & hopes that Doug didn't notice the transgression.. To the Duck, they simply look rather attractive.

Incidentally, when I was there (2 days ago) I followed advice given a year or two ago - from Gerald I think - and re-traced the upper path to the very highest point of the garden. Alas, all signs of Professor Mori's masterpiece placement of rocks and trees, that once gave such a powerful impression of being on the side of a high mountain had completely vanished. Instead, there were only a few tree roots, & the odd low shrub combined with a view of some parked cars.... It made me feel quite depressed, and I didn't cheer up until, on the way back to the ferry - by chance rather than planning - I took the Steveston Highway & spotted the Buddhist Temple, that I'd never before visited, so I drove in. It was worth it for the Bonsai alone.

Herb