Stone of the Month: 

August 2023 

"Feelings"

By Thomas S. Elias

This extraordinary stone is a completely natural chrysanthemum flower stone from Neo Valley above Gifu, Japan. These natural stones are rare, and sought by serious collectors more than the common polished chrysanthemum flower stones. The three-dimensional nature of the radiating red and white crystals encased in a cavity formed by the matrix stone make this an exceptional example. This stone has been exhibited at a BCI convention and published in several articles and the book Chrysanthemum Stones, The Story of Stone Flowers.

The provenance of this stone adds to its value and importance. We acquired this stone in 2009 from Tokyo stone dealer Kasahara Nunabu. Kasahara had obtained it from his friend Dr. Shiraki Koichi, an ophthalmologist, who is credited with popularizing chrysanthemum flower stones in Japan. Shiraki purchased land in Neo Valley that was a source of these usual stones. In 1938, Shiraki in collaboration with his artist friend Gyokudo, presented a chrysanthemum flower stone to the emperor of Japan. Shiraki also established a chrysanthemum stone museum in Gifu and published a serial publication Kikka-seki from 1960 to 1966.

Harada Kazui made a new daiza for this stone in 2019. The poetic name was given recently due to it’s influence on people when it is viewed in person.