Page 49 - BSAM 2018 Q4

in the mountains surrounding the Houyougawa and Akitsugawa Rivers.”
Furuya stones range in size from tiny bean-size to medium-size stones approaching 40 cm wide or more. Sen-En-Eyo considers them to be calcitic mudstone or marlite that is found in sedimentary deposits in the Furuya mountain range. Stones were harvested mainly from Murou, but are also found in Uridani and Akitsudani counties. The stones are dug from the earth and are covered with orangish-brown fine soil that has to be removed to expose the beauty of the Furuya stones. The covering soil is scraped off with a fine wire brush and needles are used to clean the crevices. After cleaning, they are often treated with a natural wax to give them an attractive patina.
The interesting formations found in Furuya result from prolonged exposure to the elements, particularly to water flowing through the marlite rock formation. Softer portions of the stones are eroded leaving the harder parts that result in complex formations. Most Furuya stones are composed of two distinct layers—a flattened basal portion and the larger eroded section that forms the landscape or figure scenes. The basal portion is natural and is referred to in Japan as “kutsu” or “shoe.” They are like the Italian Ligurian stones in that the flattened section is on top toward the sun and
the eroded portions of the stones are facing downward into the soil. When they are displayed in an exhibition, they are shown in an upside down position, opposite to the way they actually occur in nature.
Furuya stones often have more elaborate bases than are seen with most other types of suiseki. The reason for this is unknown. The low, more detailed feet and walls of many of the bases complement the more complex features of most Furuya stones. Among the great Furuya stone base makers were the late Miyawaki and Tanimoto; while Hotomi Junzo is still making beautifully detailed bases for these stones.
The Kishu clan, one of the three branches of the Tokugawa shogunate, maintained control of this region and restricted the harvest of Furuya stones through the Edo period until 1871 when the feudal system was abolished by the new Meiji government. Before this, villagers who found a Furuya stone were required to turn it over to the clan. According to Sen-En-Eyo, a special office/officer was assigned to manage Furuya stones for the ruling clan. The Kishu clan used Furuya stones as special gifts to the shogunate and other feudal clans. Members of the literati were the only people allowed to own Furuya stones.
Mera Hekisai was among the first people to search in the mountains for Furuya stones soon after the ban
Top: An older Furuya stone with a superb signed base made by the Tanimoto Hyakusui, one of Japan’s finest base carvers. It was
in the collection of the late Dr. Matsuyama Tomonaka for many years. This stone measures 14 cm wide, 7.5 cm high, and 7.5 cm deep.
Furuya stones often have more elaborate bases than are seen with most other types of suiseki.
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