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.

Kurama stone is a very recognizable authentic Japanese stone type. It is known for its rustic appearance, a result of a significant amount of iron in the rock. Kurama stone originated from the rural town of Kurama in the northern mountains of Kyoto. It is used often for garden elements such as stone lanterns, bridges and especially Chōzubachi. But Kurama stones can also beautifully be implemented as individual ornamental rocks.

Specifications
- Depth = 53.94 inch
- Width = 44.49 inch
- Height = 27.56 inch

- Origin: Kurama, Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture, Japan
- Material: Kurama Stone (蔵馬石)