24533 - Furuya Sugata-Ishi (Figure Stone) - The Dancer

Sugata-Ishi are "Figure stones" - i.e., they suggest other things, human, animal, man made objects etc. Personally, I prefer figure stones to be ambiguous, I like the merest hint of something recognisable, and at best to suggest different things from different angles.

I think this stone does exactly that, it also embodies elements long desired in Chinese stones: Thinness, wrinkles and an abstract nature. It can be rotated to any angle, and depending upon light and shadows, presents endless interest to dwell upon. The natural movement of the stone certainly deserves the title on the box of "Dance Figure".

In a bonsai display setting, this stone would serve very well to suggest a human presence, and also as an abstract echo for a literati display. Of course it's also suitable for individual display.

It comes with a box and cloth. The two large kanji are "舞姿" - Dance Figure. On the left, next to the seals is written "龍山書" - Ryuzan written. I do not know the names in the seals.

Size: 

SKU: 24533

Condition: Excellent.

Source: Possibly Furuya - Wakayama.

Furuya stone has been used as Suiseki since ancient times, and is one of the highest regarded types of stone. It was mined from a mountain near Tanabe City in Wakayama. In the Edo period mining was prohibited because the mountain was sacred, for a time mining was then allowed, but now it is prohibited again. Furuya stones most commonly present as mountain ranges or powerful lonely peaks. It's character is density, blackness and wrinkles.