Modern Suiseki

Setagawa Tora-ishi

I would like to introduce unusual Setagawa Tora-ishi here, however, there is no clear criteria for determining unusual Tora-ishi.

Setagawa Tora-ishi - Kane Tora, Hyou Tora

I can't decide whether this Tora-ishi is hard enough to regard Kane Tora, or clear enough for leopard patterns as Hyou Tora, however, it is hard and has specific patterns.

Setagawa Tora-ishi - gneiss

This stone is sold as Setagawa Tora-isi at Ueno Green Club which is famous store for Bonsai and Suiseki. This Tora-ishi is not the same as others because almost flat between black and yellowish brown layer and they are as if patterns.

Back side is little yellowish blown and rough surface but glittering. It looks like gneiss.

Further, it is not yellowish blown but almost gold.

I am not sure this Tora-ishi was truly from Setagawa.

On the other hand, I found a similar stone in Shonaigawa once. Shonaigawa is one of rivers Tora-ishi can be found. Therefore, I believe that this gneiss like stone may be found in river Tora-ishi can be found. Since this Tora-ishi is better than one from Shonaigawa, I assume that this Tora-ishi was from Setagawa.

Setagawa Tora-ishi - Shiro Tora

I can't decide whether this Tora-ishi is Shiro Tora which means white Tora-ishi.

Actually, yellowish blown layer is almost white, however it is too thin. On the contrary, black layer is too wide.

Unknown Tora-ishi - Toyama

I don’t consider this Tora-ishi as one from Setagawa because it has not feature in black layer for Setagawa. I heared that it was displayed old house in Toyama prefecture.

The shape is too balanced and therefore, it might be handcrafted. If it is natural, it is amazing.

On the other hand, yellowish brawn layer looks like drier and harder than Setagawa. This Tora-ishi is good by as is. I enjoy to think whare this Tora-ishi came from.