敷石(しきいし)

しきいし
noun
paving stone; flagstone; cobblestone
building
1. paving stone; flagstone; cobblestone
Flat stones laid on the ground to form a path or surface. Used for garden paths, walkways, plazas, and streets.
庭(にわ)に敷石(しきいし)を並(なら)べる。
To lay paving stones in the garden.
The paving stones are wet from the rain and slippery.
Moss-covered paving stones line the approach to the old shrine.

Composed of 敷(し)く (to lay, to spread) + 石(いし) (stone). Common collocations: 敷石(しきいし)を敷(し)く (to lay paving stones), 敷石(しきいし)の道(みち) (a stone-paved path). Found in traditional Japanese gardens, shrine approaches (参道(さんどう)), and historical districts. Related: 石畳(いしだたみ) (stone pavement — a broader term for stone-paved surfaces), 飛(と)び石(いし) (stepping stones placed at intervals).