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