Modern Suiseki

Why dark color stones are preferred for Suiseki?

In Suiseki, true black(maguro, 真黒) stone is considered as the best for Suiseki.

Blue black and ash black are preferred, no to say true black.

So, dark color stones are popular in Suiseki.

Why so?

First, bright colors tend to lose its distinct outline in a background color. And it looks indistinct and loose.

On the other hand, striking color, such as red, disturbs to imagine landscape, just because distinct outline is important.

Please see the following photos:

I think that its shape is tasteful, however, the red color stands out too much and it seems to be difficult to image a view of a scene from the stone.

Therefore, I believe that dark color stones are preferred in Suiseki.

Further, although it is my opinion, there is another reason.

Hornfels is considered as the best for Suiseki by its fine and hard texture. But the color of hornfels is almost dark color.

So, for Suiseki, fine, hard, and good texture are considered as the first condition as hornfels has. And then, color is considered as next.

I am not sure whether it is true or not, I believe that hornfels is extremely fascinating for Suiseki.

I would like to recommend to see and touch it if there are any chances.