The Japanese Art of Miniature Landscape Stones



















ADJACENT, AGAINST, UPON,
HIS FEET CARRY HIM FURTHER INTO THE DAY

Walking in the Sculpture Park
after leaving the museum,
the child asks,

Grandpa, when
are we going to go someplace,
like the Space Needle?

Jim Bodeen
26-29 July 2014


















SUISEKI COLLECTING WITH CHILDREN

We’re going to explore these stones
under running water. The artist
is the one who finds the stone.
Do you believe that?
You don’t have to believe it.
Will you think about it?
You’re the explorer.
So you’re not going to make a thing now.
Start by walking in water.






What you see makes you the one
who decides. You’re looking
for pretty stones, yes.

But not just pretty ones.


















Part of it is color, yes.
When you see something you like,
pick it up. Look at all sides.
Look for interesting shapes, too.
Can you see a mountain in that stone?
Is there a trail on the stone
where you could hike?
Cliffs are good, yes, and caves.
You’ve skied on mountains.

Find a mountain in the river rock.



















Explorers and artists.
Every time you take a stone
out of water you change the river.
You’re suiseki artists. Say, suiseki.
When you put the stone
in the garden you make a creek bed.
Yesterday this creek was dry.
Rain brought the water.
When you wash these stones
listen to your fingers.
What do your fingers tell you?
Look at all sides
before you put anything
in your bucket.

Jim Bodeen
29 July 2014

























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