BIG! Japanese old "SUISEKI" scholars stone, indoor viewing stone, animism, with a hand carved pedestal Power stone H5.9xW21.3in/24x54cm
"水石Suiseki" is a Japanese culture or hobby of viewing stones indoors. This culture came from China in the 12th century, and getting popular among noble and samurai society. They preferred and collected stones which resembles mountain and made a small landscape scenery in a tray filled with water. It has something in common with "bonsai" and "suiseki" are also displayed in "床の間tokonoma", an alcove in a traditional Japanese room where art pieces are displayed.
While suiseki often resemble mountain shapes or have inherently rare forms, the particular characteristic of this stone is that, as a suiseki, it is especially large and heavy, possessing a presence that feels like it's standing right before you. The hobby of suiseki has a particularly strong connection with Zen Buddhism. However, as a stone placed in the tokonoma (alcove), this stone appears quite unusual. Yet, the sensibility of creating a base for this stone and treating it as an object of appreciation dates back even further, to the era of animism when it was believed that spirits resided in all things. In Japan, large stones have been worshipped as 'iwakura,' places where deities descend. These include rock formations that look like stacked stones on mountain peaks, as well as large, round single stones unearthed on mountain slopes. This suiseki resembles one of these enshrined stones and might have been displayed in a village shrine at the foot of a mountain as a substitute for an 'iwakura,' without requiring people to climb the mountain.
condition... It is in good condition, but there are small scratches and dirt due to aging.
I list antiques that sometimes have chips, rubbings and cracks as they are very old antiques so please check the images and understand the current condition before buying.
