Page 47 - Tạp chí bonsai BCI Q12011

The outer layer of the stone is very important. Be-
cause of its surface, one type of stone is called “water
washed,” as this shows its age and naturalness.
Obviously, the base must be flat.
The method of judging the shape follows the Japanese
rules of san men no ho.
At the top, a good balance is achieved when the sides
slope down evenly, even if they are not equal.
Dynamic design and division of spaces (fig. 17)
The stone is divided into three parts: the base, center and
peak with their focal points in different sections.
Seen also from above, the main peak falls on the imagi-
nary dividing line of the two sides in the proportion of
one to two and the other two focal points are in different 17. Dynamic design and division of spaces
sections.
The choice of the front (fig. 18)
When exhibiting a stone as many parts as possible should
be visible. Putting the protruding sides at the front shows
the strength of a stone. Its beauty is missed if it is put in
the other way round. The position is wrong in the top
design.
Exhibiting a Suseok
The major differences from the Japanese school are seen
in exhibits, be it in the use of the daiza or the suiban or 18. Choices for the front
doban. While for the Japanese the daiza should be an
element to support the stone without being visually in-
trusive, we often see Suseok on colorless bases.
The wood is left natural and also the grain is exposed. (fig.
19) For the Koreans it is important to see the maturity of
not only the stone but also the daiza. In time the wood
acquires a patina and the color gets deeper and more
intense, reflecting both visual appeal and philosophic
concepts.
Basically, this is only considered an art form if it always
demonstrates the concept of transformation, therefore
it should also show the “change.” The stone is in itself an
object that inspires mainly static concepts. In an exhibit
this is balanced by more lively sensations. This balance
is achieved through using the daiza or suiban in a more 19. Daiza, the wood is left natural, not colored
natural and interpretive way, which differs from the Japa-
nese formal way to display the stone.
The Koreans maintain that the daiza is the dress of the
stone and that people like to dress themselves in light
colors. It is considered of merit to repeat the theme of the
stone in the daiza. In Korea, landscape stones are usually
shown in a suiban or in a doban. For the Koreans the
hollow spaces in the stones are very significant and are
greatly prized. (fig. 20) They indicate a path, overcoming
the difficulties in life, the future and the unknown.
Unlike the displays in Japan, an empty suiban or one with
only a thin layer of water are used in displaying Korean
Suseok.
For the sophisticated and cultured collectors of stones
in Korea, Suseok is a method for the reorganization of
poetic sentiments, let’s not forget that!
20. Hollow spaces in the stones are very significant and are greatly prized

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