Is There a Role for the Playful Stones in Viewing Stone Appreciation?
A discussion of playful stones that will appeal to a young audience.
By Thomas S. Elias, December 2024
Most traditional Chinese, Japanese, or Korean viewing stones in my large collection are primarily for contemplation and meditation. These stones are often dark in color and have forms that suggest something different and greater than just the stone itself. I sometimes search for hidden or deeper meanings in these stones. However, several natural stones in this collection are not meant to be used in this manner.
These non-traditional stones are my playful or eye-resting stones. They make me smile or even laugh. They are more explicit in form rather than vaguely suggesting something different. I like to hold them in my hand while taking a break from writing, reading, or composing a serious viewing stone display. I close my eyes and touch or hold some of them in my hand. Some traditionalists would readily dismiss these as not being suiseki or viewing stones. I don’t agree with this view and think that playful stones deserve a place in the broader context of appreciating natural stones.
This Italian Ligurian stone resemble a playful young dog.
These stones come closest to the modern Japanese aesthetic of
Kawaii
(かわいい ) meaning cute, charming, or loveable. This aesthetic concept is deeply embedded in modern Japanese culture and has become more readily identified with Japanese culture than Wabi and Saba.
Kawaii, identified with modern pop culture in Japan, became popular in the 1970s and has expanded rapidly since that time, especially among young teenagers to become one of the most prominent features of Japanese culture. Cute figures such as Hello Kitty, clothes fashions, cartoon-like illustrations of young people with rounded faces and small mouths, merchandise, and other actions that create a feeling of cuteness have spawned a huge audience and have supported a multi-billion dollar industry. Cute figures are seen hanging from key chains and mobile devices, on backpacks with heart-shaped patches and decorated with small stuffed animals, and more. This is seen everywhere when traveling in Japan.
The widespread appeal of these cute or playful objects can serve as a lesson for the viewing stone and suiseki communities worldwide. In the last decade, there has been a steady decline in the number of people involved in stone clubs and exhibitions. This is particularly pronounced in Japan. How a stone clubs can attract a younger audience, including children, and interest them in learning about viewing stone appreciation is one of the most frequent laments (complaints) I hear from long-standing stone club members.
“Micky Mouse,” a stone concretion from Canada
Chinese Frog and Turtle stones with grasshopper accompanying object
“Golden Retriever,” dog-shaped Ginger stone from China
We should consider promoting natural stones that are playful and cute to children as one type of entry-level stone to the traditional art of stone appreciation. We need to display natural stones that can make people smile and laugh. Adding joy and even humor can be an effective way to increase the number of Suiseki hobbyists. They can easily identify these stones instead of trying to understand the Japanese concepts of Wabi and Sabi, Yugen, and other related aesthetic terms used in suiseki appreciation.
I am not suggesting a major change to the traditional art of collecting and displaying viewing stones. Instead, I recommend including a small section of playful stones in a larger traditional exhibition. This may appeal to younger audiences. Inviting older children to join in a family-oriented stone-hunting trip is another way to encourage broader participation.
Traditionalists will likely claim that incorporating any degree of playfulness denigrates the traditional practices, and may label this article as scandalous. Clinging to the well-known adage that collecting viewing stones is a person’s last hobby is akin to a person going down in a sinking ship. Viewing stone enthusiasts need to move away from this morbid notion and seek to make the practice more appealing to a diverse audience and develop positive, forward-looking precepts if the art of viewing stone appreciation is to survive and prosper.
