Chinese scholar's rocks
Chinese scholars' rocks(供石 or gōngshí), also known as scholar stones or viewing stones, are small naturally shaped rocks which are traditionally valued by Chinese scholars.[1]
Scholars rocks can be any color. There are a wide variety of sizes. Scholars rocks can weigh hundreds of pounds or less than one pound.[2] The term also means stones which are placed in traditional Chinese gardens.
History
Four important qualities for the rocks were recognized in the Tang dynasty. They are: thinness (shou), openness (tou), perforations (lou), and wrinkling (zhou).[1]
Chinese scholar's rocks influenced the development of suseok in Korea and suiseki in Japan.[3]
Origin
The origin of the stone is a notable feature.
Evaluation
The evaluation of a scholar's rock identifies subtlety of color, shape, markings and surface. The qualities which are prized include
- awkwardness or odd symmetry[6]
- resonance or ringing when struck[6]
- represents or resemblance to landscape or figure[6]
- texture[6]
- moistness or glossy surface[6]
The stone may be displayed on a wooden base that has been carved specifically for the stone. The stones are a traditional subject of Chinese paintings.[7]
Related pages
References
Other websites
Media related to Scholar's rocks at Wikimedia Commons
