Stone of the Month: 

September 2025 

“Kasahara-san”

This classic Japanese landscape stone with a rough surface texture and an aged appearance suggests a single mountain. It is an idea stone for contemplation and reflection. “Kasahara-san” was once owned by Kenji Murata Koju-en Nursery before it was sold to Dr. Matsuyama Tomonaka. Matsuyama kept this inspiring stone in his collection for his lifetime. It was purchased by Kasahara Manabu, owner of Sansui-en and respected stone dealer. It was sold to Tom Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji in November 2015, and was displayed in the 3^rd Japan Suiseki Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on February 9-13, 2016. The editor of the display catalog for this exhibition wrote: “Stones from the Kamogawa are the finest in the Japanese suiseki world, and with its sudachi texture, deep black coloration, hardness, and feeling of age, this could be said to be the best bonsan style Kamogawa stone on display here.” This stone will be displayed at the 2025 U.S. National Bonsai Exhibition September 13 and 14, 2025 in Rochester, New York. 

We named this stone in honor of our late friend and teacher, Kasahara Manabu. The stone is 34 cm wide, 15.5 cm high, and 24 cm deep, and the carved wood base is signed by Usan.