Page 30 - Tạp chí bonsai cây cảnh BCI 2015Q2

Top left; Figure 18 – Bridge told us this stone should be cut to enhance its overall
Stone; Italy; 6 x 3 x 3 cm look. While cutting the stone is an option for some,
Top right; Figure 19 – Bridge we believe one of the strengths of this stone is that it
Stone; Japan; 15.5 x 6 x 6 cm is natural and unmodified which is the case for all of
Middle left; Figure 20 – Slope the stones in this article with the exception of Figures
Stone; USA; 9 x 5 x 6 x 4 cm 1 and 8 which have a cut bottom.
Bottom; Figure 21 – Distant There are so many beautiful and expressive small
Mountain; Japan; 9 x 4 x 3 cm
stones throughout the world. It would only be fitting
to show you one last stone, Figure 21. It has a special
place in our collection. It is a very small stone, 9 x 4 x
3 cm, but is such a beautiful small viewing stone that
represents to us what collecting stones are about.
Wonderful color with the subtle suggestion that its
peak raises above the clouds that envelope the rise of
the mountain slopes, but of course others who see this
stone immediately visualize a dolphin’s fin breaking
the surface of the water. See what we mean. A great
Naturally occurring stone bridges can also be found viewing stone seen by different people can represent
throughout the world from coastal bridges by the sea that which they have personally experienced.
to wonderfully colored bridge stones in the deserts of In closing, it never ceases to amaze us how such
Arizona and Utah. small stones can represent such vast things in nature,
These stones are often accompanied by small bronze from soaring mountains to vast flat plains. We believe
objects to enhance their look. our love of small stones is very obvious to anyone that
Finding really nice slope stones in any size can be reads our blog. Small stones can be found throughout
difficult as it requires the correct proportions for the the entire world and they visually express a wide range
valley floor and the mountain. Figure 20 is a slope of subject matters as seen by the stones in this article.
stone found in a Northern California river in the Unit- The next time you are out walking by the coastline
ed States. The material is excellent, quite hard and the or enjoying a late summer day by your favorite river
stone possesses a beautiful patina. One acquaintance or stream, please take the time to observe those hun-
dreds, if not thousands, of small stones that you are
walking by—you might just find one for your own
personal collection.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sam and Kathy Edge live in Memphis,
Tennessee, recently moving from the San Francisco Bay Area
where they lived for more than 30 years. They have both been
involved in the advancement of digital photography and self-
publishing from their inception. As members of San Francisco
Suiseki Kai, they were mentored by Mas Nakajima who taught
them the appreciation of stone collecting. Their passion is to pass
along to others the beauty of this art form.

28 | BCI | April/May/June 2015