Stone of the Month: 

July 2021 

“Kogiku” (小菊)

At first glance, this appears like an ordinary older-looking rock and not a good landscape scene because of its form. On closer examination, an unaltered mineral formation can be seen in the lower left-hand part of this stone. A second “flower” is present on the upper left side that is not seen from the front of the stone. The subtle and aged features of this Neo Valley Chrysanthemum flower stone make it an exceptional pattern stone that conforms to the Japanese aesthetics of understated beauty and loneliness. The patina on this stone is genuine and attests that it has been in a collection for many decades. Selecting the appropriate accompanying objects to use in a display with this stone is a challenge as they must reflect and support the feeling associated with the Japanese aesthetics Wabi and Sabi.

This stone is 13.5 cm wide, 12.5 cm high and 6 cm deep and weighs 1653 grams without the base. It was purchased at Asian Pacific Bonsai and Suiseki Convention in Takamatsu, Japan in November 2011 by Tom Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji. The name “Kogiku” is translated as “Old Flower.”