Japanese old "SUISEKI" scholars stone, indoor viewing stone, Seta-gawa stone, with a hand carved pedestal H6.1xW6.3in/15.5x16cm

"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. 

This suiseki is called as "瀬田川石 Seta-gawa Stone", renowned as one of Japan's Three Great Famous Stones , alongside the Kamo-gawa Stone and the Saji-gawa Stone.   
The allure of the Seta-gawa Stone lies in its deep black color. It is not merely black, but features a matte surface known as Nashiji, meaning 'pear skin.' This texture offers a unique dichotomy: it has the distinct grainy feel of a pear's peel yet is remarkably smooth to the touch. These extremely fine, shallow irregularities create a diverse range of expressions depending on the light's intensity and angle, guaranteeing that the viewer never tires of its presence.

A striking feature is the phenomenon known as Kawa-zure (river wear), where areas exposed to the river's surface turn white in linear patterns, appearing almost as if light is actively escaping from within the stone.

Furthermore, its elegant, column-like rhombic (diamond) shape ensures that the stone’s stability remains unbroken, no matter the viewing angle. In terms of color, form, and texture, this is unequivocally a masterwork.

The wooden pedestal was carved to fit exactly the bottom of the stone. 

□ Size:  H6.1in × W6.3in × D3.9in （about H15.5cm×W16cm×D10cm ）
□ Weight : 105.6oz (3000g)
□ Material : stone, wood 

condition...
It is in good condition