What is Suiseki

bonsaial1

Suiseki; A Japanese word meaning "water stone". The name comes from the custom of displaying the stones in a tray of water. Hundreds of years ago the suiseki were collected from the ancient rivers, polished by the continual movement of water. These stones were displayed, along with bonsai, To complete a vision of a far off mountain in the background.
Western collectors of suiseki have taken to American rivers and the western deserts to find stones of uncomprimising beauty. The Eel river, Russian river area of northern Calif. has yeilded some great stones. Harry Hirao has prized dozens of beauty's from the eel river. Some of his suiseki have been donated to the National Arboretum in Washington D.C. Death Valley has also yeilded some great stones, polished smooth by the high winds blowing scouring sand.
Suiseki should be displayed on a "dai", a carved piece of wood, or a "suiban", a bonsai tray with no holes filled with sand or water. The dai and the suiban should be displayed on a bonsai stand. The only man made improvement on a suiseki is, sawing the bottom flat, and bringing up the natural patina with mineral oil. Some people think that a stone should never be cut, but the verdict is still out.
The dai should compliment the stone and not take away from its beauty. The same way that a fine pot can bring out the beauty in a bonsai, so can a well carved dai. Traditionally the stand that the stone/dai sit on should be of another type of wood to add variety.
Stones that have been altered by man ie; grinding, polishing, dyeing, or cutting except for the bottom, are called "biseki". This means pretty stone. A crysanthemum stone would be an example of a biseki. These stones are ground to expose the azurite flower patterns that have made these stones famous. If you can find a "crissy, or plum bloosom stone, buy it up, as these stones are now protected in China and are not being exported.
There are web sites devoted to suiseki. The best one to start with is the site by world reknown Felix Reviera. Felix lives in the S.F. Bay area, and belongs to the San Francisco Suiseki Society. They have a yearly show at the Lakeside Garden Center, in Oakland Ca. in the spring. It is worth a looksee, you won't be disapointed.

__________________
Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.

Advertisement

bonsaial1

BTW, This would be a perfect example of a stone known as a "thatched hut stone." The color is great, snow white and deep black. Perfect!

__________________
Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.

Bonsainut

Al,
Thanks for the informative article. I like the fact that you leave the cut /no cut debate alone. When I search the desert I try to find stones that will not need cutting. I dont even bring home the others. That way Im not tempted.
I have left some good possibilities out there but who cares, the fun is in the hunt!!!

__________________
Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

ripsgreentree

In my mind cutting a stone does not lessen its value. If you do a little reserch you will find that most stones have been tweeked in some way to bring out the best in them. Besides if you cut a stone you generally get two good stones. Exelent for the siaki tray.

__________________
ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

jackmickelberg(deceased)

Just a quick question I can't seem to find an answer to:

Is petrified wood suiseki? I have the most incredible piece. I'll post a picture later if anyone wants...

Thanks,

Capt. Jack

bonsaial1

Rocks are igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic. Suiseki is not a type of stone. You can't go to a "suiseki quarry" and look for stones. Though, there are places so rich in good stones they might be confused for a quarry. Suiseki is a state of mind. The stone conjures up a picture. It might be a distant mountain, animal, figure of a human or Diety. It may be in the shape of a dragon or a waterfall. There are rules, and some are that the stone should be dark in color, hard and have a natural patina. All these things are subjective, and if you find a beautifull stone and you think it is a suiseki then by all means call it that. The only time this will interfere with your reasoning is if you plan to show your stone. Criticisim can hurt, especially if its all bad. I have been there. I have looked at your web site and looked at your stones. The piece of petrified wood brings to mind one of the sandstone buttes in the western desert. I feel that this ston could be called a suiseki. I would put it into a larger suiban with sand more in a color match with the stone. The color is good for that representation. Some of the other stones are just stones in a pot. I really think they lack the criteria for a suiseki. Post the photo and share it with us. AK

__________________
Real men don't wear coats with "happi" in the title.

Bonsainut

whaz that a yes?

__________________
Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce