CLASSROOM | Viewing Stone Association of North America

WELCOME TO OUR CLASSROOM

This section of our website provides an opportunity to learn more about stone appreciation through the use of our new three- to five-minute educational videos and reprints of previously published articles. The Classroom also contains useful information for stone enthusiasts starting with a Guide to Stone Markets and Shops in China and Japan. Each month, additional videos, articles and other information will be available to help people along on their path to becoming stone connoisseurs.

Educational Videos from VSANA Media are now on Youtube.

Wax Stones (3 min, 49 sec)

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Kunshan Stones (3 min, 35 sec)

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Introducing Japanese Chrysanthemum Flower Stones (4 min, 24 sec)
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Lingbi Stones (5 min, 28 sec)
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Ying Stones (3 min, 45 sec)
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Dali Marble (3 min, 57 sec)
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Anatomy of a Japanese Stone Exhibition (4 min, 26 sec)
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Lingbi Stones, (5 min, 27 sec)
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A base made by Harada Kazuya (56 sec)
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Enhancing Stones, The Reality and the Perception (56:15)
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The Artist and the Stone (2 min, 40 sec)
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The Shilin Stone Forest and Viewing Stones of Yunnan (3 minutes, 52 seconds)
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Introduction to Japanese Suiseki (6 minutes, 11 seconds)
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Articles by Thomas S. Elias, Hiromi Nakaoji, and other authors published in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine

Matsuura Arishige World Leader of Suisiki, 2011
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Yellow Wax Stones of China, 2011
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Suzuki and Smith: Renowned Daiza Carvers, 2012
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Petrified Wood as Viewing Stones, 2013
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Viewing Stones: A Contemporary Perspective, 2013
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Mojave Desert and Gobi Desert Viewing Stones, 2015
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Enhancing the Stone: Part One: the Japanese Reality of Modifying Suiseki, 2016
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Enhancing the Stone: Part Two: Sakurai Toshio, Japan’s Leading Professional Stone Carver, 2016
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Furuya Stones, Quintessentially Japanese, 2018
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See the latter part of this Cambridge University Press paper for valuable information about Chinese Wuding and Songhua stones. The author reveals the role these stones played in Qing dynasty culture in the early 1700s in China.
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Guides and Other Useful Information

PDF Format for viewing or downloading

Shoppers Guide to Japanese Stone Shops

Simple guidelines when shopping in a Japanese Stone Shop.
Frequently Asked Questions for Use in Japanese Stone Shops
Shipping Stones

Shoppers Guide to Chinese Stone Markets

Simple guidelines when shopping in a Chinese market.
Frequently Asked Questions for Use in Chinese Stone Markets
Shipping Stones
Table of Stone Names in English, Chinese and Pinyin

Viewing Stone Appreciation Glossary

Prepared by Thomas S. Elias & Hiromi Nakaoji

The purpose of this glossary is to help viewing stone enthusiasts to gain a more in-depth knowledge of the terms used in stone appreciation practices. Japanese terms are used more frequently than their Chinese counterparts. Since this is an ongoing project, we anticipate adding additional terms. We encourage you to contact us with suggestions for future words to add or clarify if our definitions are not clear. Please send you questions and recommendation to T om Elias .

HOME

WELCOME TO OUR CLASSROOM

Educational Videos from VSANA Media are now on ﻿Youtube.

Wax Stones (3 min, 49 sec)

Kunshan Stones (3 min, 35 sec)

Introducing Japanese Chrysanthemum Flower Stones (4 min, 24 sec)

Lingbi Stones (5 min, 28 sec)

Ying Stones (3 min, 45 sec)

Dali Marble (3 min, 57 sec)

Anatomy of a Japanese Stone Exhibition (4 min, 26 sec)

Lingbi Stones, (5 min, 27 sec)

A base made by Harada Kazuya (56 sec)

Enhancing Stones, The Reality and the Perception (56:15)

The Artist and the Stone (2 min, 40 sec)

The Shilin Stone Forest and Viewing Stones of Yunnan (3 minutes, 52 seconds)

Introduction to Japanese Suiseki (6 minutes, 11 seconds)

Articles by Thomas S. Elias, Hiromi Nakaoji, and other authors published in BCI Bonsai & Stone Appreciation Magazine

Matsuura Arishige World Leader of Suisiki, 2011

Yellow Wax Stones of China, 2011

Suzuki and Smith: Renowned Daiza Carvers, 2012

Petrified Wood as Viewing Stones, 2013

Viewing Stones: A Contemporary Perspective, 2013

Mojave Desert and Gobi Desert Viewing Stones, 2015

Enhancing the Stone: Part One: the Japanese Reality of Modifying Suiseki, 2016

Enhancing the Stone: Part Two: Sakurai Toshio, Japan’s Leading Professional Stone Carver, 2016

Furuya Stones, Quintessentially Japanese, 2018

See the latter part of this Cambridge University Press paper for valuable information about Chinese Wuding and Songhua stones. The author reveals the role these stones played in Qing dynasty culture in the early 1700s in China.

Guides and Other Useful Information

Educational Videos from VSANA Media are now on Youtube.