Page 48 - BSAM 2018 Q4

VIEWING STONE GALLERY
Top: The impressive “Three- layered Wall” stone consist of three distinct steep ridges of rock and is 24 cm wide, 14.5 cm high and 10.5 cm deep. The excellent base is by the late Tanimoto Hyakusui. It was exhibited in the Kenninji Temple in Kyoto in 1984
and in the 4th Japan Suiseki Exhibition in Tokyo in 2017.
Furuya Stones
Quintessentially
Japanese
By Tom Elias, USA Photos by Tom Elias
Furuya stones are one of the more important types collected and appreciated by Japanese stone connoisseurs because this is one of a few types of stones deeply rooted in the history and culture of their native region where they
occur. These stones are valued for their dramatic yet subtle features that define outstanding suiseki and because they fit so well to the Japanese aesthetic. The book Densho-seki or Historical Stones contains illustra- tions and descriptions of 23 Furuya stones. These are just a few of the many stones loved by famous painters, poets, and historical figures. The oldest Furuya stone is named “Hongan Reiseki” which is reported to have
found by the Buddhist monk Shinnan about 800 years ago. Aside from this unique stone, the general apprecia- tion of Furuya in Japan has been since the 18th century when they were described in two Edo period books.
Most Furuya stones represent a wide range of different landscape scenes. Yet good figure and structure stones also are found among the many Furuya stones harvested in Wakayama prefecture over the last two centuries. The name Furuya originated from an area known in earlier days as Furuya Valley. The stones are found in different areas of the mountains and valleys which result in different types of Furuya stones. These stones are produced in mineral veins in shale running east to west according to Tanimoto. Stones originating in Furuya and Uridani, two small areas within the mountain range, are described as having hard quality, wrinkled surface, and shiny green color. At the beginning of the Meiji era, stones found in Uridani were referred to as Uridani stones, but later they were included under the broader name Furuya. Furuya stones found in Akitsudani, another small area, are described as having fine wrinkles, and more light blue in color according to Hekisai. The more recent writings of Sen-En-Kyo used more modern names for these areas. He wrote that these stones are “found in the upper reaches of the Iwashirogawa and the Nambugawa Rivers and also
46 | BCI | October/November/December 2018