Page 23 - BSAM 2015 Q3

of their refined arts) in the 4th century. Korean oral history records a gift stone called “Mountain of Mysti- cal Inspiration” from Korean King Mu Wang to Japan in 612 AD, and Korean scholar No Ja Kong is thought to have advanced the tradition of stone appreciation in Japan near the end of the 7th century. Korean collec- tors, in order to better distinguish their style of stone appreciation, often interpret/write the ‘su’ as ‘longev- ity’ (a homonym of the Japanese ‘su’ meaning water). Korean emphasis is on strength, hard dense stone with deep cavities, protrusions and folds that illustrate a stone’s endurance against destruction by the elements.
Suiseki on the other-hand is well known throughout the world as the prevailing bearer of the art. Traditionally the Japanese are closely associated with the almost unbelievable scenic beauty of their country and ultimately find spiritual union with nature. Everything contributes to ceremony, hence to an atmosphere of contemplation, including the appreciation of stones. Gradually during the growing acceptance of Zen Buddhism the Japanese moved towards a more delicate horizontal landscape shape as the prime feature of their stones. However, stones of color, unusual patterns and shapes and abstract
stones (patterns and shapes) routinely advance most collections. In the USA model, conventional wisdom tends to describe Suiseki as dark, dense stones that are smooth to the touch with elegant contours to encourage contemplation that is conducive to meditation and introspection.
In the last few years in the United States, desert stones that have been worn down, eroded, carved, ribbed and polished by wind driven sand (Ventifact action), are being added to collections. Multifaceted in form, com- plex to the touch, they are highly convoluted, coupled
Top; Collector/Exhibitor:
Don Kruger; Old Man, Wood burned screen: Famous Mountain Scenery; 12” high, 9” wide, 8” deep
Middle and bottom; Collector/ Exhibitor: Chung Kruger; Screen: 11th century China Poem (copy): Nine Bend River, Distant Mountain Stone; 8” high, 15” wide, 10” deep
July/August/September 2015 | BCI | 21