The Tone of the Stone by Arthur Skolnik

We've come quite far in our understanding of Bonsai (and things Japanese) since we lost our Bonsai virginity all those years ago. We all know what jin, shari and saba-miki are and many of us would likely trade a seldom used digit for a tree with great taper and perfect surface roots. We've all bought premixed soil endorsed by the masters and now have plenty of opinions as to what media works best in our milieu. In our quest for Bonsai enlightenment we have adopted and practiced techniques learned from books, magazines and visiting experts and have even become wise and sage-like, learning about life from the snap of an over-bent branch or from the death of a treasured tree which dies, mid summer of an unearthly blight.

Learning about Bonsai and things Japanese has in many cases been magical and mysterious. Knowledge is power, but good design is the hand that blends the objects within a space to create an ultimately pleasing display. We all know what a tokonoma is ... the beautifully understated display area or niche in a Japanese home. A 'tone-setting' scroll (seasonally or contextually) is placed in the center of the tokonoma, an appropriate Bonsai placed to one side and a stone with just the right amount of energy on the other side is, the quintessential visual haiku. The three elements blend together to form a rich image in the viewer's mind. Of the 3 elements commonly displayed in a tokonoma, the stone, intrigues me the most. A good Suiseki has the power of suggestion. Whatever the colour, whatever the hardness, it must transport the viewer. A suiseki or viewing stone is never to be embellished by human intrusion. The unwanted or unneeded bottom may be cut off but this is only to highlight the suggestive top. Some people prefer to collect stones which do not need to be bottom cut. Others don't mind (freeing a mountain from a rock by) cutting the bottom. It's a matter of personal preference.

In the Orient, where art has a long nature-oriented tradition and where many more people are sensitive to and aware of nature, it is not surprising that Suiseki is deeply felt and spiritual. It may take several generations of western Suiseki artists to know and appreciate Suiseki as the Japanese do because we do not share a common heritage. (Imagine getting a phone call from a friend who asks if you and a few other friends would like to spend a quiet evening sipping wine and writing poems about a new stone you just acquired?) We do not have the same heroes and villains, myths, legends, fairy tales, superstitions, etc. and have not been sensitized to concepts like wabi-sabi, shibui, yugen, fuzei etc. for long. As North Americans our culture is 200 years young and we began our odyssey as hunters. The Japanese culture is very old. People have been close to the land and sea and looked inward for centuries. As relative neophytes to the eastern art of stone appreciation, we have a lot to learn. We will become enlightened in our own time and in our own way. (This may be sooner than you think.)

Stone Show 2002 is the name of a fascinating, educational, inspirational and international symposium designed to be the most comprehensive event of it's kind. For 2 1/2 days, if you're not eating or sleeping, you'll be attending one of 20 lectures, demonstrations or critiques! The huge list of speakers includes Mr Matsuura from Japan, Martin Pauli of Switzerland, Felix Rivera and Hideko Metaxas from California, Kemin Hu originally from China and Bill Valavanis from Rochester, New York. In addition to these internationally acclaimed speakers 6 other talented artists and collectors will share openly of their knowledge and experience. They are Pat Coen, Jim Doyle, Jim Hayes, Howard McNeal, Marty Schmallenberg, Arthur Skolnik and Sean Smith.

This symposium has been organized by individuals who love Bonsai but are passionate about Viewing Stones. Their goal is to promote the pure joy and beauty of Stone Appreciation. This will truly be a unique learning and sharing experience. If you'd like to check out the web site for lots more information, or to register, please go to http://www.stoneshow2002.com They say you can hear the ocean if you listen closely to a shell. Come to the International Stone Appreciation Symposium, Oct. 4-6, 2002 in Pennsylvania, then listen to a stone. You won't believe what you'll hear.