mae-ishi 前石

1　Also called kazari-ishi 飾石, tōage-ishi 灯あげ石, tōtomoshi-ishi 灯ともし石. A flat stone laid into the ground in front of a garden lantern and used to stand on to light the lantern. The mae-ishi is slightly higher and larger than any other stepping stones *tobi-ishi 飛石 in the vicinity.

2　Also tsukubai-ishi 蹲踞石, kagami-ishi 踞石, *hakamazuri-ishi 袴ずり石. A flat stone placed in front of a garden hand-wash basin *chōzubachi 手水鉢. This stone is slightly higher than any surrounding stones.

3　A natural stone used in the earth-floored toilet area of a tea garden. One of two stones, about 8 cm high, which is used to stand on when using the low Japanese toilet. Mae-ishi refers to the stone nearest to the exit; the other stone is called ashikake-ishi 足掛石. Together these two stepping stones are known as *fumi-ishi 踏石.