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How often do you see a natural bridge stone? Frankly I have rarely seen them without the necessity of taking a trip to a national park or some other distant location.
Natural Bridge Stone
So in the world of suiseki it is an equally rare sight to find one in the wild or even for purchase. During our trip to Kokufu this year we certainly didn’t think we would see any much less one for sale – but we were wrong. After walking up to the second floor of the Green Club sitting on a glass cabinet with this small stone.
Bridge stone ~17cm
When we picked up this stone frankly we couldn’t determine what was the front of the stone. Take a look at the photo above and the one below and let us know what you think.
Bridge stone reversed front
I will hold off telling you want we think until we hear from you. In examining this stone we believe it to be natural, but to be frank the Japanese are so good at modifying stones that it would likely take a magnifying glass to tell if they have worked on this stone.
The top looks quite natural as can be seen from the next photo.
Bridge stone - top view
We like the general color of this stone as there are hints of black, brown, gray and even red. So how to display this stone? I shot some other photos in a suiban with sand but frankly it was distracting to me when editing in Lightroom. Perhaps a simple doban, or suiban, with water rather than sand. I don’t know as I will need to do some more test shots. Ideas anyone?
We have seen a few bridge stones displayed but mainly in Japanese suiseki books. I’m curious how many of you have found them while stone hunting? If you have some photos and have the time send them to me and we can do a photo essay on the various bridge stones in America.
Lastly, because they are so beautiful here is a couple more in nature.
Natural bridge stone
Reminds me of Eastern Tennesse
Sam & KJ's Suiseki Blog (水石) 
Can’t be sure from the top view which front that shows. Because of that welcoming curve, I would choose that side as the front.
Mike the curved front would show the stone as described in the first photo with the caption: Bridge stone ~17cm.
This is the front that Vince liked the best.
a beautiful stone… no need to choose a front:)
I love the 1st picture where on the right side of the stone it looks like there are steps leading up to the temple. But it’s beautiful either way.
i’m looking for a small hut stone..mike
Mike there are plenty of them around but unfortunately most are made by carving tools. While in Japan earlier this year I saw dozens of them with barely two or three of them natural.
Try here: http://homepage2.nifty.com/miyamotoen/saisin-nyuka-167/top.htm
Carved ones in the $300-500 range. Real ones above $1,000 US.
You can also try here: http://www.j-bonsai.com/
Yoshi represents various sellers of suiseki. There are 8-9 of them on his site. I have purchased from both parties with great success.
Happy Hunting!
I prefer the second “reverse side” presentation. Your calling it that leads me to believe that you’ve already decided on the other side, and the positioning of the pagoda seems to confirm that as the base is in full view. My preference for the reverse side has to do with the suggestive formation of a closed-eye, open-mouthed “sleeping animal” motif,evoking a subtle feeling of growing stillness, wild tenderness,solitude,savage innocence. But in that case I would scratch the pagoda.Beautiful stone, truly wondrous!
I prefer Bridge stone reversed front, the hole looks bigger making it looks more unique for my eyes.