The first written guide on Japanese landscaping, the Sakuteiki, describes creating gardens as: Ishi wo taten koto (石を立てん事). This translates to setting stones upright, a description that greatly emphasizes the importance of these elements within the Japanese garden.

Traditionally applying ornamental rocks, Niwaishi (庭石) in Japanese, forms the basis of practically every Japanese garden. The setting of stones is always the first step, after which the garden is formed together with all the other elements surrounding it.

An authentic Japanese garden needs to evoke a certain natural essence. Rocks and stones play a significant role regarding this principle as they are pure elements, taken straight from nature.

Ibiguro stones have a dark gray to black color and originate from the Ibigawa river in Gifu prefecture. The name of the stone type is very fitting as it refers to both this river and the color black. Some Ibiguro stones contain a lot of iron, which gives it a natural rustic appearance.

Specifications
- Depth = 77.95 inch
- Width = 48.03 inch
- Height = 33.07 inch

- Origin: Ibigawa, Gifu prefecture, Japan
- Material: Ibiguro Stone (揖斐黒石)