is the Japanese term for small naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated. They are similar to Chinese scholar's rocks.

Suiseki can be any color. There are a wide variety of sizes. Suiseki can weigh hundreds of pounds or less than one pound. The term also means stones which are placed in traditional Japanese gardens.

Suiseki

History

Chinese scholar's rocks influenced the development of suiseki in Japan. The history of suiseki in Japan begins during the reign of Empress Suiko. The small objects were brought to Japan as gifts from the Chinese Imperial court.

Suiseki

Evaluation

The evaluation of suiseki recognizes color, shape, markings and surface. According to in , It is not a silly thing at all to enjoy a stone in a tray. I see the whole world in a tiny stone. Some objects in this world are huge, and others are small, and they come in all shapes, but they are not that different when you look at their essence.

Suiseki

Some types of suiseki suggest a mountain, a waterfall, an island, a thatched hut or an animal.

Related pages

Suseok

Bonsai

Penjing

Standing stone

References

Other websites

Nippon Suiseki Association

"Viewing Stones" at National Bonsai Foundation

Japanese culture

Rocks