North American Viewing Stones: USA
The 34th California Aiseki-kai Viewing Stone Exhibition
Text and Photographs by Thomas S. Elias
The 34th California Aiseki-kai exhibition continued its longstanding reputation December 26-30, 2023, of being the finest display of North American viewing stones held in the U.S. This exhibit, organized by the California Aiseki-kai Club, was held in the Ahmanson Classroom of the Brody Botanical Center in the Huntington Library, Art Museums, and Botanical Garden in San Marino, California. Approximately 6200 people viewed the 90 stones, primarily from California, that were on display. As people entered the classroom, this large Eel River stone, collected by Cheryl Manning, greeted the visitors. This set the mood for viewing the rest of the stones on display.
Eel River stone collected by Cheryl Manning.
The California Aiseki-kai Club, headed by Larry and Nina Ragle, has worked closely with Huntington’s Botanical Center staff over several decades to promote the arts of bonsai and viewing stones to their visiting public. James L. Greaves, a member of the Aiseki Club, has been responsible for curating each of these exhibitions, including this latest event.
Various Aiseki Club members loaned their stones to this exhibition. In addition to these individual stones, the organizers had a special display featuring stones of former members of the club who have passed. This includes beautiful stones that were collected by Ralph Johnson, Bill and Lois Hutchison, and Marybell Balendonck. Another special exhibit honored one of California's earliest collectors of viewing stones, the late Bob Watson, who was previously a member of the Huntington staff.
The late Ralph Johnson collected the following California Mojave Desert stone. The late Bill Hutchinson had collected the colorful Indian Blanket stone. Both are very fine examples of North American viewing stones.
At least two stones from western Canada were displayed in this year’s exhibition. Jim Greaves collected and displayed the Tiger-striped pattern stone (first), while Don and Chung Kruger displayed the chrysanthemum flower stone they found (second).
The Huntington, a world-class cultural center, has hosted numerous bonsai, penjing, and viewing stone exhibitions over several decades. These events, combined with the Huntington’s outstanding Chinese and Japanese gardens and special exhibits of art, make Huntington a leader in Chinese and Japanese arts. I hope that the good working relationship between Huntington and the California Aiseki-kai club that has developed over many years will continue long into the future.
Archived Articles on US Stones
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Stone Images XIIIList Item 1
The Pacific Northwest Viewing Stone Club, a study group within the Puget Sound Bonsai Association, staged their thirteenth exhibition of viewing stones at the Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way, Washington, November 1-8, 2023.
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The 34th California Aiseki-kai Viewing Stone Exhibition
The 34th California Aiseki-kai exhibition continued its longstanding reputation December 26-30, 2023, of being the finest display of North American viewing stones held in the U.S.
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Melba L. Tucker, American Viewing Stone Pioneer
By many accounts, Melba L. Tucker (1917-1996), was an extraordinary individual who passionately pursued and promoted the arts of bonsai, saikei, suiseki, and viewing stones.
