Suiseki-Where to begin?

Hi to all,

I have been collecting stones on and off during outings.
I've got some that I consider interesting, but I don't know much about suiseki.
Where should i start?

I have some rough stones, do I need to smooth them? if so how do i do that?
How do you clean them? [ other than water and a soft brush ]


Thanks in adv

Sounds like you could start off with a good book as reference. I might suggest The japanese art of stone appreciation by Vincent T. Covello and Yuji Yoshimura. If there are any clubs in your area that you could be mentored by a member that would help. I think the value here, would be individual questions for clarity to what your learning rather than trying to embrace the entire subject .

Sounds like you already have, collecting what you like is number one,
you have a computer try suiseki search on google or on eBay or both,
books in local library could be the best sources of information.
Train your eye to identify suiseki quality, types, styles and materials.
Notice daiza's and familiarize yourself with common display methods.
Visit local bonsai nursery's, gravel pits, construction material yards,
or near by stream in search of colorful, interesting shaped stones.
Read everything on this site! you can't help but learn tons!
The longest journey starts with one step!
you have already taken yours...

Thanks for the replies

Got one specific question, I got several rocks that are rough, do you guys polish the rocks?

Xavier de Lapeyre wrote:
Hi to all,

I have been collecting stones on and off during outings.
I've got some that I consider interesting, but I don't know much about suiseki.
Where should i start?

I have some rough stones, do I need to smooth them? if so how do i do that?
How do you clean them? [ other than water and a soft brush ]


Thanks in adv

Hello Xavier de Lapeyre,

Beside above ideas
More information, you can find out about suiseki on another book: "SUISEKI The Asian Art of Beautiful Stone of Willi Benz", A.I.A.S Italian Association of Suiseki Lovers, Nippon Suiseki Asociation, and searching more on google.

For me, water and soft brushes are best, do not use any harder or chemical, they maybe destroy stone's skin.

Best wishes,

Huu Hiep

Most collectors frown upon use of any type of artificial chemical to enhance the surface of a suiseki. "Polishing" with a soft cotton cloth known as "dry aging" is the most acceptable
form of cleaning/polishing. Over time, the stone will pickup oils from handling. Mechanical polishing of any type is never done. A bottom cut is done only when there is no other
alternative to fit into a daiza. Tycially, this would now classify the stone as a viewing stone rather than a suiseki by "purest".

Xavier!
I have found that keeping my stones near my bonsai outdoors in full sun on raised benches the best...  
Because I can blast them with a strong stream of water during daily bonsai watering, the stones that is...  
Over time this slowly cleans the stone and seems to help it age without shinny rubbed high spots...  
Some of the non porous stones take on a water polished sheen and deeper color, after years of this...  
I know not a fast process but most good things are not!, fast...  

Thanks for the replies.

Here are some of the stones that I have collected over the years.
I also attempted to make a daiza, but its a bit too high it seems, even though I like it.