"Gongshi" redirects here. For the policy from the Tang dynasty, see Gong Shi.
Gongshi (Scholar's rock) in Wenmiao temple, Shanghai

Chinese scholars' rocks (Chinese: 供石; pinyin: gngsh), also known as scholar stones or viewing stones, are naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated by Chinese scholars.[1]

Scholars rocks can be any color, and contrasting colors are not uncommon. The size of the stone can also be quite varied: scholars rocks can weigh either hundreds of pounds or less than one pound.[2] The term also identifies stones which are placed in traditional Chinese gardens.

History

In the Tang dynasty, a set of four important qualities for the rocks were recognized. They are: thinness (shou), openness (tou), perforations (lou), and wrinkling (zhou).[1]

Chinese scholar's rocks influenced the development of Korean suseok and Japanese suiseki.[3]
Origin

The origin of the stone is a notable feature.
Lingbi stone from Anhui. Ming Dynasty, 15th century

Lingbi stone (Lingbishi) from Lingbi, Anhui province, limestone[4][5]
Taihu stone (Taihushi) from Lake Tai, Jiangsu province, limestone[4]
Yingde stone (Yingshi or Yingdeshi) from Yingde, Guangdong province, limestone[6]

Aesthetics

The aesthetics of a scholar's rock is based on subtleties of color, shape, markings, surface, and sound. Prized qualities include:

awkward or overhanging asymmetry[7]
resonance or ringing when struck[7]
representation or resemblance to mountainous landscapes or figure[7][8]
texture[7]
moistness or glossy surface[7]

Scholar's rock illustration, 11th century

The stone may be displayed on a rosewood pedestal that has been carved specifically for the stone. The stones are a traditional subject of Chinese paintings.[9]

Taihu stone
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guanyunfeng (冠云峰) in Lingering Garden

Taihu stone (Chinese: 太湖石) or porous stone is a kind of limestone produced at the foot of Dongting Mountain (洞庭山) in Suzhou, which is close to Lake Tai. Due to long-term surging by water, this kind of stone is featured by pores and holes.[1]

These stones are very popular in gardening, following the concepts of traditional daoism and juxtaposition, themes very popular in that style of decoration.
References

志 (2000). 太湖石. 火山地. 3 (in Chinese): 226233.

29x8x6 inches
weight 30.6 LBS
PROD번호 : 3070047654