Benikamo 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.

Benikamo is a special type of stone that is regularly used in Japanese gardens. These stones are known for their recognizable red color and originally come from the Kamo River that flows through Kyoto. The name Benikamo stone literally means: Crimson red stone from the Kamo River.

Besides their role within the Japanese garden, Benikamo stones are also highly sought after as Suiseki.