Japanese Earth Stones
An introduction to Japanese stones removed from the earth rather than from rivers and streams
By Thomas S. Elias, June, 2024
Japanese Suiseki are known worldwide for their striking landscape features carved, shaped by rapid-flowing rivers, and textured by sand and gravel those waters. Japan has over 325 significant rivers and hundreds of minor water courses. Most are short in length with a rapid descent from mountainous regions throughout the country. Some rivers are well known for producing excellent Suiseki—Kamo, Kamukotan region of the Ishiukari, Ibi, Tama, Seta, and Shimanto rivers. But many outstanding Suiseki are found away from rivers and gravel banks. These have been dug from the soil, and rock formations or gathered in eroded landscapes.
The two best-known examples are the chrysanthemum flower and the Furuya stones. Chrysanthemum flower stones are known from several locations in Japan, mostly from rock veins mined in the Neo Valley mountains above Gifu. These rocks, embedded with mineral formations resembling flowers, are removed from certain lithic veins in the mountains. A portion of the matrix stone is removed to expose the mineral deposits, and then polished to highlight the flower-like mineral formations. Other smaller naturally occurring stones with three-dimensional, radiating crystals are also carefully removed from certain rock veins.
Furuya stones are collected along the mountains in Wakayama Mountain range near Osaka in the Kansai region of Japan. When these often rugged landscape-type stones are removed from the earth, they are covered with a hard, whitish rind. This whitish rind must be scrapped with a wire brush to reveal the Furuya stones' true color and surface texture. Furuya stones, along with Kamo River stones, are one of the oldest types of native Japanese stones to be appreciated.
The much less common Tsubo-ishi or pot stones are also found in the Wakayama range. These stones are covered with iron-rich reddish soils that must be mechanically removed.
Ponpira stones are limestone-weathered rocks found in areas along the northernmost regions of Hokkaido. The Ponpira stones from here evoke grand canyons, crevices, and bluffs. These eroded limestone rocks do not come to mind when considering Japanese susieki. Their lighter colors, distinct layering, rough surface texture, and flat tops distinguish Japanese ponpira stones.
Seigaku stones are dug from the soil along the Ashikubo River. They are very hard and appear similar to Furuya stones; however, Seigaku stones have wrinkles on the surface. They are typically in the form of different types of mountains.
Fugo-Oroshi is a rare type of viewing stone found in the mountains between the confluence of the Kurama and Kibune Rivers in the northern mountains of Kyoto City. According to Sen-En-Kyo’s Suiseki-II (2007), these stones are composed of chert.
Makko-ishi or Makko stones are dug from the earth mainly in Tsushina Town in Ehime Prefecture. They are mostly black, brownish black, and reddish brown and comprised of sandstone and shale. Makko stones often have a wrinkled surface texture. These stones are similar to the Furuya and Seigaku stones.
Those of us who like to search for viewing stones in nature should consider expanding our searches beyond rivers and gravel bars to dryland sites such as rocky outcrops, exposed rock ridges, wind-swept areas, ancient dry lake beds, and semi-desert areas. There is a wealth of great viewing stones beyond the streams and rivers.
