Suiseki

is the Japanese term for small naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated.  They are similar to Chinese scholar's rocks.Cousins, Craig. (2006).  Bonsai Master Class, p. 244.

Suiseki can be any color. There are a wide variety of sizes. Suiseki can weigh hundreds of pounds or less than one pound. The term also means stones which are placed in traditional Japanese gardens.

History
Chinese scholar's rocks influenced the development of suiseki in Japan.Brokaw, Charles. (2011).  The Temple Mount Code, p. 73.  The history of suiseki in Japan begins during the reign of Empress Suiko.  The small objects were brought to Japan as gifts from the Chinese Imperial court.Corvello, Vincent T. and Yūji Yoshimura. (1996). The Japanese Art of Stone Appreciation: Suiseki and Its Use With Bonsai, p. 17.

Evaluation
The evaluation of suiseki recognizes color, shape, markings and surface.  According to  in ,
It is not a silly thing at all to enjoy a stone in a tray. I see the whole world in a tiny stone. Some objects in this world are huge, and others are small, and they come in all shapes, but they are not that different when you look at their essence.Rivera, Felix G. (1997).  Suiseki: The Japanese Art of Miniature Landscape Stones, p. 40, citing .

Some types of suiseki suggest a mountain, a waterfall, an island, a thatched hut or an animal.

 Related pages 
 Suseok
 Bonsai
 Penjing
 Standing stone

References

Other websites

 Nippon Suiseki Association
  "Viewing Stones" at National Bonsai Foundation 

Category:Japanese culture
Category:Rocks