FEATURED BOOK REVIEW

 Seogo Publishing Company, Seoul. 416 pages, No ISBN. 5,000 Won when published. (이면근 , 1982. 수석탐구의 실제. 광복 출판문화사).

This introductory book to the art and practice of Suseok is exceptional for its thoroughness in treating every aspect of Korean stone appreciation. The first one-quarter is devoted to the history, and defining what Suseok before describing in detail landscape, shape, pattern and colored, and abstract stones. This is followed with a series of essays relating to the aesthetic qualities to Korean stones. The author even included a short description of the differences between Japanese suiseki and Korea Suseok. 

Jang then shifts to topics relating to the collection and processing of stones. Articles about removing dirt, chemical treatments, and oiling stones reveals accepted practices at this time. These topics are followed by a series of articles dealing with the display of stones in trays and carved wood bases. It is interesting to note three sections on alterations, bottom cutting, and polishing stones. Apparently, it was acceptable to make limited alterations to stones at this time. This may be an influence of several similar introductory Suiseki books published in Japan.

The next series of chapters help readers learn about cultivating stones with moss, water, and by touching. This leads to a series of essays about how to appreciate Suseok and the rewards of a life with these rocks. The latter part of this book is a guide to different major collecting sites in each province and a brief elementary treatment of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.