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Old 23-01-2003, 04:55 PM
Chris Cochrane
 
Posts: n/a
Default [IBC] Have anyone heard of Rhodonite (Rose Stone) "Painting"?

Rhodonite is the material from which the famed polished _sakura-ishi_
"cherry stone" _biseki_ are composed. In Kyoto, these stones are sometimes
seen among the footpaths where traffic has polished them to bring out an
extraordinary hue of rose-pink against a black-green ground.

For biseki, the the stone is best fashioned to represent blooming
hillside(s) in 3-dimensions . Specifically, the hillsides might be
considered above the swirling waters of Arashiyama (River) in hills near
Kyoto where the visitors view a very brief (3-day) blooming of cherries.
The fallen cherry blossom represents transience and brevity of life as a
recurring Japanese art theme.

A sukura-ishi representing blooms on hills and noted as from Prince
Chichibu's family is featured as the first exhibit shown in the book
entitled _7th International Bonsai and Suiseki Exhibition (1986)_. His
Imperial Highness Prince Chichibu (Yasuhito) was born in 1902, the second
son of Emperor Taisho. He married Setsuko Matsudaira. Prince Chichibu
passed away in 1953. His life was too brief... :-(. Her Imperial Highness
Princess Chichibu (Setsuko) was born in 1909 and passed away in 1995. I
expect the stone retains the name "Chichibu Sakura-ishi."

There is also a petal-patterned, Japanese "cherry-blossom stone" known as
_sakura-ishi_ among rockhounds that has nothing to do with the rose-pink
rhodonite.

Rhodonite sometimes forms as a crystal, translucent stone , as well.

It is lovely material, but I'd think it wasted if thinnly-sliced for a
bonsai or suiseki enthusiast.

Best wishes,
Chris... C. Cochrane, , Richmond VA USA

----- Original Message -----
From: "Anton Nijhuis"
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2003 9:41 AM
Subject: [IBC] Have anyone heard of Rhodonite (Rose Stone) "Painting"?


You can find Rhodonite just about anywhere in the world, in Vancouver
almost every shop in Chinatown has it for sale as a landscape scene. I
pick up the odd piece at flea markets. Look at ebay lots there listed.
This landscape type Rhodonite is not pure - meaning it has inclusions
within making it less valuable.

Anton

-----Original Message-----
From: Internet Bonsai Club ] On Behalf
Of batmon
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2003 8:09 PM
To:

Subject: [IBC] Have anyone heard of Rhodonite (Rose Stone) "Painting"?

Hi,

Have anyone heard of Rhodonite (Rose Stone) "Painting"? I came
accross an article in Taipei Times and

it sounds pretty interesting. Here is the article...

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat...2/12/01/185540

And it mentioned that the Rhodonite in Taiwan is among the best,
better then Australia ones.

Basically they cut and slice up some huge Rhodonites, look through
them and find the best piece that

resemble Chinese landscape paintings and add a nice frame with some
Chinese characters to it.

Here are couple photos from the article above...

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat.../01/0000047407
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat.../01/0000047409

I am thinking about getting few of this through friends in Taiwan to
go along with my bonsai. You think it's a good buy? Any feedbacks
are welcome. Thank you. :-)


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