Basic Concepts Of Natural Landscape Raw Stones

Natural raw stones-also known as ornamental stones or "strange stones" (*qishi*)-are naturally formed stones with unusual shapes. Distinguished by their unique material, form, color, and patterning, they cater to the human desire for novelty and aesthetic appreciation, making them suitable for viewing, collecting, and handling. Throughout Chinese history, they have been referred to by various names, such as "eccentric stones," "elegant stones," "offering stones," "desk stones," "play stones," "ingenious stones," "ugly stones," "whimsical stones," "precious stones," "exotic stones," and "solitary display stones." In Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, they are known as "elegant stones" (*yashi*); in Japan, as *suiseki*; and in Korea, as *suseok*.

 

As the ancients said: "A mountain is not extraordinary without stones; water is not clear without stones; a garden lacks grace without stones; and a room lacks elegance without stones. Appreciating stones clears the mind, delights the spirit, sharpens the intellect, cultivates the emotions, and promotes longevity." The appreciation of these unique stones emphasizes qualities such as slenderness, perforation, translucency, wrinkling, clarity, ugliness, ruggedness, artless simplicity, singularity, elegance, precipitousness, and secluded serenity.