Evaluating: |
Ten Views of a Rock |
Terminology |
The Science of Suiseki
Below there are several different perspectives on evaluating stones, from various collectors and cultures.
Chinese Terminology
Ancient terminology:
Shou - elegant, slender, vertical, alone
Zhou - rich textures, delicate ridges and lines, rhythms in shape
Lou - exquisite beauty, indentations and channels linked to one another like a path
Tou - openings, holes (such as those which will let moonlight and wind pass through)
Modern Terminology:
Shape (xing)
naturally shaped
abstract and representational shapes
near or far distant scenes
objects such as human figures and animals
Material (zhi)
hard material (inward quality)
rich texture (outward quality)
sound quality (relates to material)
Color (se)
hue and luster should be natural, simple, pure
naturally black, gray or yellowish brown
baojing - special coating on old rocks from years of contact with human hands
Spirit (shen)
animated and inspiring
artistic - insight or revelation that captivates and provokes thought
romantic charm
"a rock, though small, will show its intelligence when it has spirit"
rocks with inertia - serentiy, calm, strength
animated rocks - fly, dance, shout, jump.
Japanese Terminology
Five factors: shape, matter, color, temperament, and "yoseki" (ancient look)
Shape:
shape reminds you of something natural
a balance of stone's 3 faces - stone's front, rear, right and left, and bottom
Matter:
hard rock
calm rock
hold moisture after watering
Color:
color that harmonize with natural feeling
best is black - called "maguro"
fine is sand gray or blue-black
gray is called haiguro
blueblack is called aoguro
Temperament:
temperament created by nature, weathering of "yoseki"
itokake- surface quartz on gray sandstone
shunn - nanga - folds of a mountain
shiwa - small, complex wrinkles
sudati - small surface holes
jiyagure - irregular surface indentations
riyugan - surface of quartz and calcareous formations
nashijihada- surface pocked similar to surface of pear
sabahana - weathered surface
Yoseki - Ancient look:
yoseki is "old feeling" created by nature
fine shape
fine deep color
fine temperament
ancient look
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