Suiseki (viewing stones) is the art of collecting, studying or exhibiting stones with a high power of suggestion, since they represent different fragments of nature (landscape, person, animal or thing) on a tiny scale. Though its origin comes from China –like the Bonsai– the simple art of collecting stones sculpted by nature was turned into a minimalist art by the Japanese.
Suiseki stones are purely natural rocks with a high aesthetic and figurative value, without any human manipulation or transformation. The only added detail to these perfect creations of nature is a wooden base (called daiza) or a tray with water or sand (called suiban) to facilitate its exhibition or support. Suiban’s are supposed to be much larger than the stone being displayed, which size should preferably be smaller than a human hand.
The following images feature 21 of the most impressive suiseki stones in the world.
1. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Mammoth)
2. Shimagata-ishi – Island shaped stone (Mountainous Island)
3. Koho-seki – Mountain shaped stone (Crag)
4. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Turtle)
5. Yagata-ishi – House shaped stone (Medieval Castle)
6. Uogata-ishi – Fish shaped stone (Whale)
7. Koho-seki – Mountain shaped stone (Lighthouse)
8. Sugata-ishi – Anthropomorphic shaped stone (Geisha)
9. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Running bear)
10. Sugata-ishi – Anthropomorphic shaped stone (Monk)
11. Sugata-ishi/Dobutso-seki Anthropomorphic/Animal shaped stone (Samurai riding a Dragon)
12. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Elephant)
13. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Horse head)
14. Yagata-ishi – House shaped stone (Spanish Village)
15. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Rooster)
16. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Snake head)
17. Hashi-ishi – Bridge shaped stone (Triumphal Arch)
18. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Frog)
19. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Duck on nest)
20. Dobutso-seki – Animal shaped stone (Little Dragon)
21. Sugata-ishi – Anthropomorphic shaped stone (Genitalia)
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