Lingbi stone, Ying stone, Kun rock, Taihu rock

For suiseki enthusiasts who have heard about the Chinese scholar's rocks, the names of Lingbi stone, Ying stone, Taihu rock or Kun rock might sound familiar.  They are the legendary stones that Chinese scholars have admired and sought after for many centuries.  These stones mystify and typify the characteristics of classic Chinese scholar's rocks that seem to appear bizarre but inspirational to contemplate.  The dramatic features of overhang and jagged projections, foramina structures with stalagmites and stalactites, deep crevices, vertical standing in undulating shapes, heavily eroded surfaces, and projecting terraces or spires are some of the well-known characteristics of these scholar's rocks.  Chinese called them rare stones (gongshi), or strange or fantastic stones (guaishi).      

Lingbi stones are found in the soil of the mountain areas of Lingbi county, Anhui province.  They were the most valued stones during the Song dynasty (960-1279 A.D.).  The main composition of Lingbi stones is limestone.  They are also known for their hardness and dense textures that produce light chime sound when they are tapped.  From the sound they produce the stones are also named resonant or chime rocks.  The surface of the stones is generally smooth and glossy.  The well-known color of Lingbi stones is black, often displayed with white undercurrents of calcite.  Red, light gray or brown colors with black undercurrents can be found as well.  Not all Lingbi stones carry the features of classic Scholar's rocks' characteristics as described above.  Many of the small size Lingbi stones can be found resembling landscape or objects.  Lingbi stones with beautiful surface patterns are often cut and polished to become biseki, beautiful stones.                           back to the top     

Kun rocks are found in Kunshan, Jiangsu province.  These rocks are rare and highly prized.  They have heavily eroded surfaces with perforations, wrinkles, deep fissures and sharp edges. Colors of black and golden brown can be found.                       back to the top

Ying stone's name came from Yingde in Guangdong province where the stones were originally produced.  Guangxi province also produces Ying stones.  Limestone is the main composition often displayed with calcite deposits.  Black, black gray or dark gray colors with shiny surfaces are common.  The surfaces of the stones are often covered with stretches of wrinkles and shallow craters.  Ying stones are renowned for the representation of distant mountain views because of its diverse shapes with intricately textured surfaces covered with dimples and channels of furrows that often seem to resemble the shapes of mountains, hills or valleys.    back to the top

Taihu rocks are from Lake Tai, Jiangsu province.  They are one of the oldest and the most treasured rocks since the Tang dynasty (618-907).  These rocks are usually large and they are best known for garden rocks.  The surfaces of the stones are usually covered with perforations from the continuous erosive actions of wind, water, waves and sands.  These limestone rocks appear very hard, but they are brittle.  The colors are generally tan, white or light gray.  Dark colors could be found.      back to the top