Unique Stone, Unique Charm

Author: Jia Changhua
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features:
Odd stones are the result of nature's masterful craftsmanship, a very precious gift bestowed upon us by nature. How can someone who loves odd stones not love and embrace nature? Odd stones, originating from nature, add a touch of charm to life, elevate its quality, and bring us a unique spiritual enjoyment. In this way, can we not grow to love life even more, which is rich and diverse? Odd stones make us love life more, and at the same time, they inspire in us a sense of responsibility—to create a better life for more people, to work diligently in our jobs, to give our all, even to strive and fight. In this way, how can we not love our work?
I appreciate and collect odd stones, which has led some friends to ask, "You're so busy, how do you find time for this?" Indeed, I am very busy. I am a leader at a newspaper office, leaving home at 6:30 in the morning and starting work at 7:30. Often, I don't come home until 8 or 9 at night, and I'm almost in a state of constant tension throughout the day. Even on weekends, I adhere to my self-imposed work schedule at the newspaper office, and on Sundays, I attend some social activities. So, I replied to my friends, "When you truly love doing something, no matter how busy you are, you won't give up on it easily. As for time, as Lu Xun once said, 'It's like squeezing a sponge—just be willing to squeeze, and you'll always find some.'"
Why do I have such a deep passion for odd stones? I can tell my friends that embracing odd stones is like embracing nature. It makes me love life and work even more. People who love odd stones are always those who love nature. The value of naturally formed odd stones lies in their uniqueness, peculiarity, and extraordinary beauty. Each piece of figurative stone allows you to appreciate lifelike "characters," lovable "animals," and vibrant "plants." There are also majestic "mountains and rivers" with imposing grandeur, such as "Looking Up, All Mountains Are Small," "Deep Gorge with a Calm Lake," "Boundless Scenery on Dangerous Peaks," "Waterfall Pouring Down Three Thousand Feet," and "Yellow River Water Surging from the Sky." Each piece of patterned stone lets you admire scenes as if painted by a colorful brush, so realistic that it's hard to imagine. Examples in this book include "Sunrise Over the East," "Bright Moon Rising Over the Sea," "A River of Spring Water Flows Eastward," "Rural Forests," "Lake Like a Mirror," and "Desert at Dusk." Each piece of text stone allows you to explore various naturally formed characters and numbers, and you might even see the character "stone" on the stone itself. Incredibly, the natural surface of the stone seems to "write" words like "Stone Culture," "Stone Painting," "Stone Literature," and "Chinese Odd Stones." And those abstract stones, which seem to have no discernible form, evoke endless imagination with their unique shapes, vibrant colors, and ever-changing lines, bringing beauty, pleasure, and a touch of the soul.
Odd stones are the result of nature's masterful craftsmanship, a very precious gift bestowed upon us by nature. How can someone who loves odd stones not love and embrace nature? Odd stones, originating from nature, add a touch of charm to life, elevate its quality, and bring us a unique spiritual enjoyment. In this way, can we not grow to love life even more, which is rich and diverse? Odd stones make us love life more, and at the same time, they inspire in us a sense of responsibility—to create a better life for more people, to work diligently in our jobs, to give our all, even to strive and fight. In this way, how can we not love our work?
Based on my experience, observations, and analysis, many people who develop a love for odd stones grow to love nature, life, and work even more. It is entirely natural for those who love stones to achieve "three loves." Interestingly, after my explanations, some people who initially had no interest in odd stones have become enthusiasts, and some have even become accomplished collectors. For example, my wife, Ju Baorong, not only shares my love for odd stones but has also become an expert in this field. Naturally, I am delighted to see this. As for when I first developed an interest in odd stones, I can't recall the exact date, but it has been about fifteen or sixteen years.
The great Tang Dynasty poet Bai Juyi saw two pieces of "Clouding Stone" and wrote a poem expressing his sentiments: "Turning back, I ask the twin stones, 'Can you accompany me in my old age?' Though stones cannot speak, they agree to be my three companions." I remember reading this poem back then and finding it hard to understand: How could two pieces of stone have such charm? Later, I read a poem by the contemporary cultural figure Shen Junru, describing his life in "A Stone House": "I especially love stones in my life, for their resilience. Gathering them fills my home, and I sleep peacefully with them." His house was filled with odd stones, and only then could he sleep "peacefully." At that time, I couldn't understand it either. Now, after fifteen or sixteen years, I share the sentiments expressed in Bai Juyi's and Shen Junru's poems. In fact, it was these two poems that sparked my initial interest in odd stones, and it became an obsession that led me to become one of "Tianjin's Top Ten Odd Stone Collectors."
Collecting and exploring odd stones has also brought me an unexpected reward: the book The Unique Charm of Odd Stones. I sincerely hope that readers will gain some knowledge about odd stones through this book, enhance their ability to identify them, and improve their level of appreciation.