The featured artist this year is the group” Kashu Suiseki Kai.” This club is known to be the first Suiseki club in the United States. Located in Palo Alto, CA., the club was started in 1964 by Mr. Keiseki Hirotsu.

Suiseki are hard mineral stones found in streams, creeks or rivers. These viewing stones have been shaped by nature’s forces for millions of years into shapes that are reminiscent of their large-scale counterparts. They represent nature’s architectural wonders in miniature. Like so many Japanese art forms, Suiseki has been collected and appreciated since the sixth century A.D., when they were introduced to Japan from China. A good Suiseki stone must possess an elegant design which is abstraction, and therefore a reminder from nature. The color must be subtle, the texture must be in agreement with the particular style of stone, and it must fit into one of the many categories for classification of Suiseki.

The stones should not be altered or modified and are displayed as found in nature; however the cutting of the base to make it easier to mount on the stand (dai) is permitted. The stone’s sheen or patina is highly valued and when all these elements come together, you have a masterpiece. Explained in a simple way, the Suiseki is the comprehension and the appreciation of nature through a stone, resulting from nature.

Come see this fine exhibit of Suiseki stones on display in the Cupertino Room in the Quinlan Center. Club president Ted Kameda will be on hand to answer any questions you may have on this art form.