Ibigawa Stone, Japanese Garden Rock

The first manual for the Japanese garden, the Sakuteiki, describes the laying out of gardens as: Ishi wo taten koto (石を立てん事). This means the upright placement of stones, which strongly emphasizes the important role of these elements within the Japanese garden.

The correct application of garden stones, Niwaishi (garden stones) in Japanese, forms the basis of practically every Japanese garden. The placement of stones and rocks is almost always determined first, after which the garden is formed together with all the elements surrounding it. Because of this, stones and rocks are also known as the Kikotsu (気骨), or backbone, of the Japanese garden.

An authentic Japanese garden should mimic a certain natural essence. Stones and rocks are a significant part of this principle since they concern pure elements, coming directly from nature.

Ibigawa is an authentic Japanese stone species originating from the famous Ibigawa River, which flows through Gifu and Mie prefectures. The stone species is regularly seen in Japanese gardens and is also particularly known in the Bonsai world as part of the Sekijoju style. Bonsai that grow with their roots over stones.