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SEARCH LINKS CLUB INFO KUDOS GUESTBOOK ETC. | Viewing Stone appreciation is the art of enjoying
rocks and stones in their natural state. As an art form it began in China
between 1,000 and 2,000 years ago. It is at least 400 years old in Japan
and Korea. However, the Western world has only had this form of art for
less than 100 years. With this in mind, one must realize that the Asian
forms of stone appreciation are fairly stable, while the Western art is
still in its infancy and very much evolving.
Chinese Scholar Rocks. Chinese appreciation of stones and rocks comes from their love of mountains and nature coupled with their religious and philosophical beliefs. This combination has led to many wonderful works of art in painting and sculpting. Over time the Chinese learned to create gardens that resembled the natural wonders they loved. Such gardens included use of small trees and large rocks to represent mountains. Later, these garden rocks (or smaller versions of them) were included in the basic set of tools held by scholars. They were eventually exported through Korea to Japan. (More) Japanese Suiseki. The Japanese culture became familiar with the appreciation of miniature garden rocks from the Chinese. The first rocks they saw were abstract shapes with large and small holes perforating the stone. These were placed in ceramic or bronze containers and held upright with small pebbles. Because Japanese also have a deep honor and respect for nature, their interest and appreciation of stones has continued until this day. (More) Korean Suseok. The Koreans also became familiar with the appreciation of miniature garden stones from the Chinese. Their deep respect for all of nature has allowed their appreciation of stones to continue even today. (More) Western Viewing Stones. Appreciation of natural stones as art, or for simple appreciation or meditation is relatively new in the Western world (More) |
