What makes a rock suseiki?

[JudyB]

I have a large collection of rocks, and have recently been wondering what the difference between a rock and a suiseki is. Some of my rocks are very interesting, but don't know what the parameters are...
Thanks!

 

[garywood]

Judy, it starts about $100

 

[JudyB]

But I only have sweat equity in mine, are they just rocks then?

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

But I only have sweat equity in mine, are they just rocks then?

If you're rubbing that sweat into the rocks, apparently they are suiseki!

 

[Smoke]

A suiseki (Sui=water seki=stone) is a stone that depicts a natural object. I could be a mountain, either near or far, or a waterfall, or an animal or a human representation.

A good viewing stone should also have a very well worn and natural patina. The best stones come from river or ocean environments.

Many of the best mountain stones have come from Italy in the Alps where there are large limestone "karst" deposits that make wonderful stones that represent the most magnificent mountains.

A stone with no real view is not a suiseki. Nor is a stone with sharp or angular surfaces.

Proportion is paramount as well as color and hardness. It should be of very hard stone and be dark in color. Reds, greens and blues should be almost black.

A beautiful looking stone in its own right, mounted and appreciated is known as Biseki, or "beautiful stone".

here are some stones from my collection and what they represent.

Here are some mountain stones. The stone in the middle is a "Karst" stone

 

[Smoke]

Here is another mountain stone showing some of the patina.

 

[Smoke]

This is a mountain stone displayed in a suiban. A siuban is a thin tray made on copper bronze or ceramic that has no holes. It is filled with suitable sand and the stone is displayed on the sand.

This stone is from Clear creek. Thats for you Artofthediaza.

 

[Smoke]

This would be an example of a near view waterfall stone.

 

[Smoke]

This is an example of a Japanese Hut stone. This stone is altered and has been enhanced by grinding and acid. Real ones are very rare.

 

[Smoke]

This is an example of an Anthropormorphic Suiseki depicting a monk in prayer.

It allowed me second place at the Clark Center "Toko Kazari" in 2010

 

[Smoke]

This is an example of a Biseki.

This is a chrsythemum stone from China. A natural stone with a quartz crystal "flower" in it that is ground and polished to reveal the flower. There are also plum blossom stones that are beautiful also.

 

[JudyB]

Well looks like I have mostly just pretty rocks but maybe a couple suiseki.. I will take some pics and see what you think. I do appreciate your answers as this was a real question, and something I understand more fully now.

Nice suiseki you have there, and nice presentation, especially the suiban.

 

[Smoke]

I have about 20 that still need diaza's.

 

[JudyB]

Well, get to work man... From the root stand work I saw you post, you have the skillzzzz...

 

[Smoke]

Here are three more from Clear Creek. This is a pretty famous site in Caifornia for jade or, jadite, which these are made from. the area has been closed for about 7 years to to hazardous conditions from asbestos.

I have buckets full of gem grade red jasper from clear creek before it was closed.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Nice stones...particularly the 3rd one in post #5.

 

[Smoke]

Well, get to work man... From the root stand work I saw you post, you have the skillzzzz...

I have made all the diaza in this thread for the stones I do have.

 

[dick benbow]

here's my latest

 

[chansen]

Judy -

I would recommend a very good book on suiseki. It's called The Japanese Art of Stone Appreciation, by Vincent T. Covello and Yūji Yoshimura. It goes through the classic Japanese stone classifications, and gives a very good description of what to look for in stones.

I have found many nice stones in the past. Some I would call suiseki (fitting in to the Japanese parameters), and others I simply consider viewing stones. I tend to call Japanese style stones suiseki, and try to define others as they fit. Kind of like differentiating between bonsai and penjing. For example, in suiseki you likely won't find a stone that has been altered through polishing, etc. However, in the Chinese art of gongs

Anyway, the book above is really good and it's not too expensive.

Good luck!

 

[JudyB]

Thanks for the book suggestion, I think probably I have a lot of rocks.... I really like them though.