(Blue Tiger Stone)

This beautiful stone with a light green cast owned by Takiyama Norio originates from the Koutaro region of southern Hokkaido. It was placed in a traditional base, however, in a modern iteration of stone display, the stone and its base were placed on a small tatami mat enclosed in a dark hardwood frame which served as the display table, and in place of a traditional scroll as a background accessory, Takiyama used a wood screen as might be found over a Japanese doorway. This combination makes an effective display. The framed tatami mat is less costly than a custom-made table, yet it clearly identifies the stone with Japanese culture. This simple but elegant display may be more suitable for modern apartments and homes that lack the traditional tokonoma display space for art objects.