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Suiseki is the art of contemplating rocks whose shapes have been sculpted by the force of nature, or whose natural colors evoke something.
"Suiseki" is, in itself, a form of art; these are stones collected from nature, appreciated for their shapes that resemble landscapes, forms of people, plants, or animals. After being collected, these stones cannot be painted or carved and are displayed on magnificent stands specially developed for each case.
Like Bonsai, the art of Suiseki originated in China; the earliest references date back to the Xia Dynasty (2500-1766 B.C.), where they were described as “beautiful and noble stones representing gorges, mountains, islands, or valleys.”
The word Suiseki is an abbreviation of Sansuikeiseki:
San = Mountain
Sui = Water
Key = Landscape
Seki = Stone
For a rock to be considered a Suiseki, it must possess several qualities, the most important being its power of suggestion.
Suiseki are evaluated based on three criteria: hardness and surface (Shitsu), contour and shape (Katachi), and color (Iro).
The current classification system divides Suiseki into 3 major groups:
Keisho-ishi or Object Stones – Resemble forms of animals, people, etc...
Biseki or Precious Stones - Appreciated for their colors and patterns.
Sansuikeiseki or Landscape Stones – Miniaturize natural forms such as mountains, valleys, islands, etc...
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, where stress is the order of the day, a Suiseki is the ideal piece to create a space of peace and serenity, suitable for meditation either at home or at work.