Page 40 - BSAM 2017 Q4

sometimes as gifs, trading or low-cost sales with other hobbyists. Te camaraderie between these collectors was warm and friendly. Te absence of a commercial atmosphere was refreshing.A dinner and auction was held for attendees on the opening day of the exhibition. Many fne native Hokkaido stones with bases were sold for prices ranging from $20 to $100 each. A portion of the sales was used to ofset the cost of the exhibition. It was a fun event and an opportunity for stone enthusiasts to interact with each other.The exhibition of stones was accompanied by a companion exhibition of bonsai in an adjoining gallery. Tis was staged by several Hokkaido bonsai clubs. Most of the tree species such as Ezo spruce, oak and Siebold’s maple are native to northern Japan.Te All Nippon Aiseki Association (ANAA) has played in key role in this country’s stone appreciation culture for over thirty years, yet it is almost unknown outside of Japan. It was established in October 1985 to support the eforts of Aiseki magazine in promoting friendship among stone hobbyists as well as to develop and spread the stone appreciation hobby. Te ANAA accomplishes this by encouraging hobbyists to collect stones in nature and hold stone exhibitions throughout Japan. Te association shares an ofce in Tokyo with the ofce of Aiseki magazine. Te current president of the association is Mr. Sugo Minetaka while Mr. Kimura Akira serves as Director General. Both men live in Sapporo. Te ANAA exhibitions are less costly and more afordable for the typical stone collector in Japan than the grand All Japan Suiseki Exhibition held annually at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park in Tokyo. Te ANAA with a ffeen-member board composed totally of hobbyists represents the amateur stone enthusiasts whereas the more widely known Nippon Suiseki Association with its ffeen-member board is strongly dominated by professional stone or bonsai/stone dealers and represents the dealer’s interests along with the hobbyists. Te ANAA is not a large membership organization. Actually, it only has about 100 members today. Typically, the president of a local club would become a member of the ANAA and represent the club to the association. Individuals can also join, although there are limited benefts. Te organization does not publish a regular magazine or an annual photo album of their exhibits. Although, the hobbyist-orientated ANAA published the impressive All Japan Aiseki Association 30th Anniversary All Japan Exhibition in Hokkaido in 2014 to celebrate three decades of this association work. Tey do help organize and sponsor exhibitions of hobbyist’s stones. The Japanese language monthly magazine, Aiseki, one of two extant magazines devoted to stone appreciation in Japan, is a private commercial operation and not formally a part of the ANAA. It was established in May 1983 by Mr. Mori Akira to promote stone appreciation among hobbyists. Te magazine One of the fnest Ponpira stones ever found in Hokkaido. This scenic stone is 39 x 13 x 19 cm.