Dry landscape rocks, also known as 'Kare-sansui' in Japanese, are an essential element in the traditional Japanese Zen garden design. These stones are carefully arranged to represent mountains, water, and sometimes islands. They symbolize the natural world in a minimalist form, emphasizing harmony, tranquility, and the passage of time. The use of dry landscape rocks in these gardens dates back to the 15th century and is a significant aspect of Japanese Zen Buddhism and culture.