25/08/2026
Chairman’s Chat
As an introduction to Suiseki, for those who do not know about the origins of Suiseki, Robert has written an introduction to “The Art of Suiseki” for members to give them an insight into what to expect at the next meeting.
An Introduction to “THE ART OF SUISEKI”
Remember that pretty stone you found on the beach or beside a stream as a child?
Glistening with water, its colours radiated out, and was a treasure to be taker home
and proudly displayed. Perhaps it was also an interesting shape, looked kind of like
an animal, or a mountain range in miniature or perhaps a weird martian invader, at
least it did to your eyes! Well congratulations, you have already collected a Suiseki,
a small, naturally formed stone whose shape resembles a scene or object in nature.
Stripped away of any esoteric baggage, this is what the subject in its purest form is
about, and this is what separates Suiseki from any other aspect of rock collecting, it
is the shapes of stones that are important in Suiseki.
What is Suiseki ?
Suiseki is the study and enjoyment of individual, naturally formed stones as objects
of beauty. They are displayed and enjoyed inside the home and are as prized as any
other object of art or beauty. Suiseki is an art form in its own right and a companion
subject to bonsai (it has been said that bonsai and suiseki together form the wheels
of a metaphorical bicycle). A key ingredient of a suiseki is its suggestiveness, its
power to conjure up an image of an object or scene from nature.
What does the word Suiseki mean?
Suiseki (pronounced su-e-seck-e) is derived from the Japanese characters for water
(sui) and stone (seki), hence a ‘water stone’, but more correctly a stone shaped by
the erosive action of water. The shaping of stones by natural means is an important
part of the subject, freshly broken or antiquity and mellowness.
The term suiseki is widely used to denote this art form but the Chinese use their own
terms, and in the west we often refer to suiseki as ‘viewing stones’. As with bonsai,
the name itself denotes both the study of the subject and the items themselves.
What is the origin of Suiseki?
As with bonsai, suiseki was first practiced by the Chinese nearly two thousand years
ago. As trade and contact between China and Japan flourished in the Middle Ages, the Japanese adopted the art form to their own culture. Today, Japan is thought of as the Mother nation of suiseki. In the East the philosophical aspects of the subject
play an important part, and some collectors in the West are heavily into the spiritual side of the subject. However, this is not a requirement, and most collectors enjoy the stones for their natural beauty without delving into the deeper aspects of the subject.
What is the difference between suiseki and an interesting stone?
A stone that could be called Suiseki needs to have three attributes.
Shape - It should have shape that the viewer finds pleasing.
Display - It needs to be thoroughly clean and tastefully displayed.
Passion - The stone should exude an atmosphere of something more - it should stir
the emotions of the viewer.
For example, An interesting piece of rock sitting on one’s bonsai bench is not a Suiseki. A stone that is clean, tastefully displayed and exhibited in one’s home and has an appearance of a small piece of art is a Suiseki. Perhaps a good test of a Suiseki is would you wish to display it in your lounge - on a coffee table or or a cabinet? If the answer is yes then it is probably a Suiseki.
What stones are best for Suiseki?
In general dark, hard stones are best. But in reality most stones, apart from those that are very soft and crumbly are suitable.
Are Suiseki altered or carved?
In general, no. The very best stones are unaltered.
Though this is a topic of some contention amongst many experts of the subject.
Stones are often cut to produced a flat base to aid their mounting and display.
Some authorities in the West classified stones that have been cut as viewing stones,
and uncut stones as Suiseki. Though many feel this is largely a matter of semantics.
There is some hypocrisy on this subject, particularly in the east where the Japanese
and the Chinese have altered, helped and cut stones for hundreds of years.
Purists would argue that this is wrong. The topic is one for the individual enthusiast
to be guided by their own tastes and preferences.
I have seen shiny Suiseki - are they polished?
Generally, no. Much prized is a rich, deep, natural lustre (called patina) which results from the stone being naturally polished, usually by the action of the water, in a stream for example. This can be further enhanced by hand rubbing the stones, though this can take many years of devotion, the process is often accelerated by applying a little oil to one’s hands and rubbing this into the stone. The aim is to
accentuate what is already there rather than to create an artificial finish. For this reason Suiseki are never lacquered or varnished.
Are Suiseki classified?
Yes. The generally accepted classification system is the Japanese one which categorises stones according to their shape, for example Scenic Landscape Stones which depict a mountain up close or a range of mountains in the far distance. This
system also recognises Object stones - stones that have natural shapes from nature such as animals or people, and Pattern stones - stones where a lighter coloured area on the stone resembles a scene or object. The classification is quite complex
but to a newcomer to the subject the classification system is of less importance than an enthusiasm to enjoy the subject.
The Chinese have a less rigıd classification system, and many of their stones are abstract in shape and form resulting in a very sculptural appearance. Many people prefer the more subdued and understated nature of Japanese style stones, however
some collectors favour the more sculptural dynamic Chinese style of stone - it is a matter of personal taste.
How do I display a Suiseki?
Stones are normally displayed either in a shallow container (called a suiban literally water basin) or on a wooden stand (called a daiza). Suiban are usually made of earthenware, similar to a shallow bonsai pot but with no drainage holes. The stone is placed in the suiban off centre and water and/or sand may be added to enhance the visual effect (for example an island rising out of the sea).
Daiza is custom designed and the stone ‘sits’ in a well or a recess. The design of the daiza should complement the stone so that the stone and daiza together form a pleasing image.
How big is a Suiseki ?
They vary in size from a couple of inches (5 centimetres) to very large stones of
maybe 30 inches (76 centimetres), there is no ‘ideal’ size.
Can you recommend a book on the subject?
Of particular note is the new colour book by Professor Felix Rivera who is possibly
the foremost authority on the subject in the west. It is titled Suiseki - “The Japanese
Art of Miniature Landscape Stones” and published by Stonebridge Press.
Where can I go to see Suiseki?
The subject has many devoted followers in the west, but is still in an emergent stage.
Bonsai magazine’s and books now regularly feature displays of Suiseki within their exhibits.
Robert
