It focuses on the arrangement of a few aesthetically significant pieces of rock.
The Iwagumi style is rooted in the Japanese art of stone appreciation- Suiseki and zen rock gardening. It focuses on the arrangement of a few aesthetically significant pieces of rock. While deceptively simple, creating an Iwagumi is not necessarily easy, with utmost consideration required in the placement of the rocks and plants and the balance of the overall composition. In an ‘Oyaishi’ layout, a main rock serves as the focal point of the aquascape, with other rocks positioned to support it in several ways: providing contrast, counter-balance or as an echo to the main rock, with the overall goal of harmony between the different pieces. Often, an Iwagumi uses only 1 or 2 species of ground cover plants to accompany the rock. However, modern day aquascapers often prefer to use more plant species to blend the transition from open ground to rock pieces, giving a more naturalistic transition.