Just thought I'd show this stone off. It is already sold. It is a Nakayama Suita stone from the Marukei series. Not Maruka, but Marukei. Extremely rare stone.
The Maruka stamp is a stamp consisting of a circle (Maru) with Kanji in the center denoting the KAto family name, the owners of the Nakayama mine. This stamp was sold to another family when they were no longer in the business. Rather than having the Maruka stamp signifying the finest of the Nakayama stones, it was used as a stamp of ownershipp so the Maruka stones could be collected at an exhibition by their respective owners. These days you see this stamp on a wide range of stones, mostly from the Nakayama mine of varying quality..
Approximately 50 or more years ago, when stones from the Nakayama mine were more plentiful as well as other famous mines, Kei ichi, the father of Tanaka-san, who is retired, had the wisdom and foresight to collect the 'best of the best' not only from Nakayama but several other mines. These were put together in a very limited series of stones, each with a unique serial number into the Makukei series, named from Keiichi Tanaka's first name. These stones are rarely seen outside of Japan and among the most highly prized of natural stones.
This stupendous specimen is a Nakayama stone from the suita layer and is a member of the Marukei series. You may be familiar with it from my facebook page as the stone I have pictured on my cover photo.
I will miss it, but it is going to a good home. I am so pleased to have it going to a knowledgeable honer who has also, like many of my customers also become a good friend.
---
Ken
The Maruka stamp is a stamp consisting of a circle (Maru) with Kanji in the center denoting the KAto family name, the owners of the Nakayama mine. This stamp was sold to another family when they were no longer in the business. Rather than having the Maruka stamp signifying the finest of the Nakayama stones, it was used as a stamp of ownershipp so the Maruka stones could be collected at an exhibition by their respective owners. These days you see this stamp on a wide range of stones, mostly from the Nakayama mine of varying quality..
Approximately 50 or more years ago, when stones from the Nakayama mine were more plentiful as well as other famous mines, Kei ichi, the father of Tanaka-san, who is retired, had the wisdom and foresight to collect the 'best of the best' not only from Nakayama but several other mines. These were put together in a very limited series of stones, each with a unique serial number into the Makukei series, named from Keiichi Tanaka's first name. These stones are rarely seen outside of Japan and among the most highly prized of natural stones.
This stupendous specimen is a Nakayama stone from the suita layer and is a member of the Marukei series. You may be familiar with it from my facebook page as the stone I have pictured on my cover photo.
I will miss it, but it is going to a good home. I am so pleased to have it going to a knowledgeable honer who has also, like many of my customers also become a good friend.
---
Ken
