Call for Entries - Suiseki

Updated 8/7/26

Submission Period Opens 
October 15, 2026

Submissions for the Suiseki display at the 2027 Pacific Bonsai Expo will be accepted October 15 - November, 2026, via the online submission system. Complete submissions will include the following information:

  • Submission photos (requirements below)
  • Title or Poetic Name, if any
  • Country of Origin, if known
  • River of Origin, if known
  • If displayed in a Daiza , maker name, if known
  • If displayed in a suiban/doban, maker name, if known
  • Stand maker, if known
  • Scroll maker, if known (scrolls should not exceed ~120cm in length)
  • Sizes of all objects intended for the display (H x W x D in inches)

Suiseki and What the Jury is Evaluating

One specific goal for the suiseki exhibition in 2027 is for our displays to be more than just a stone, regardless of how great the stone itself might be.  The jury will be evaluating which suiseki displays tell the best stories. 

The most accomplished suiseki displays share a quality that is immediately felt but difficult to describe: the sense that every element present was chosen with quiet deliberation, and that together they form a complete thought expressed by a specific person at a specific moment.

Traditionally, suiseki are often presented as part of a display which builds a small, composed scene from several elements arranged in relation to one another. Together they suggest a season, a place, or a narrative moment — the stone as subject, the surrounding elements as atmosphere and frame. Nothing is labeled outright; the story is built through arrangement and left for the viewer to read.

This communication through arrangement rather than explanation is one of the most demanding forms of aesthetic expression precisely because it must work without recourse to words. Everything must be carried by the objects themselves — their scale, their material, their seasonal associations, their placement in relation to each other and to the empty space around them. There is no caption to correct a misreading; no label to fill the gap left by an inadequate display choice. The display speaks or it does not. The stone whispers or it remains silent.

The suiseki selections for the 2027 PBE will be heavily weighted towards the suiseki displays that tell the best stories. A stone by itself must convey both location and season.  A mountain in spring or fall, a coastal ocean scene, etc.  It is highly recommended to use accessories if it helps to convey your story better to the PBE audience: You might use a small tenpai, or okimono, or a small accent plant.  Please note that the story doesn’t have to be a winter scene and may represent any of the four seasons. Note: No bonsai trees will be allowed in the suiseki displays this year as accents to the suiseki. 


Preparing your Submission

Before submitting an entry, take the time to think through the story you are attempting to convey to the PBE audience.  Can the stone alone convey this story? Should you add other display elements to assist in your storytelling.  Your story should convey the primary perspective of the stone: Mountain, waterfall, etc. In addition, adding elements that convey season (Spring, Fall, Winter, Summer) can enhance the telling of your story.  Accessories such as scrolls, tenpai, or plants assist the viewer in understanding the story your display is communicating.

Start with your stone and see if the story is complete.  If not, then add an accessory to see if this addition conveys to the viewer a more complete picture.  A suiseki doesn’t necessarily require an additional element, but as the story unfolds in your mind and in your display, let the display communicate the need or not.

A driving principle of suiseki is that the viewer should complete the picture/story in their own minds.  This means that we can’t be too explicit or heavy handed in how our displays are established but need to leave room for the viewer to complete this picture in their mind.  This can’t be emphasized enough.


Photo Requirements

Please prepare the following photos for each submission.

  • One photo showing the front of the suiseki
  • One photo showing the side of the stone, either left or right side
  • Any additional photos that show the quality of the stone the best
  • One photo of each additional element that will be in your display: scroll, tenpai, accent plant, etc.
  • Lastly, if you have a multi-point display, one photo of all the elements together in the display would be greatly appreciated.
  • In addition, please provide a 1-2 paragraph description of the story your display is attempting to communicate.  Entries with these write-ups will have an advantage during the jury selection process.

Accepted submissions all have one thing in common: good photos. The following tips will help you create accurate images of your submissions. 

  • Hold the camera so that you are aiming it at a slight down angle; avoid photographing the stone straight ahead or below the stone’s
  • Use a plain backdrop so the jurors can see the suiseki clearly  
  • Use diffused light where possible (avoid direct sun)


Additional Links

  • An approach to photographing suiseki and their displays can be found here: Suiseki Photography. 
  • Suiseki Display defines the Japanese aesthetic required for submissions.
  • Guide to Suiseki defines the Japanese classifications for suiseki as well as the five factors used for determining if a stone can be classified as a suiseki.

Important Note: A photo of the complete display, including stands and accent plants, along with an artist's statement, may be required for accepted entries one month prior to the show.  No bonsai will be allowed in the suiseki display area.


Display Space

Suiseki will be displayed in 6’ spaces or 3’ spaces.

Standard display space

  • 6' Displays: 72" L x 29.5" W x 29" H
  • 3' Displays: 36” L x 29.5” W x 29” H
  • Distance from the tabletop to the top of background is 57”.  Be aware your scroll shouldn’t exceed 120 cm or 47”.


Exhibitor's FAQ

Is it free to submit a suiseki to the jury?

  • Yes, it is free to submit a suiseki for consideration. 

Can I submit more than one suiseki for consideration?

  • Yes, there is no limit on the number of submissions an individual can submit. Each individual exhibitor is limited to 2 accepted submissions. Should the jury and curators choose more than two of your submissions we will contact you about which ones you prefer to show. 

Is there a fee to display my suiseki at the exhibit?

  • Yes, exhibitors will pay a fee for each display. Fees are $175 for displays on 6' tables and $155 for displays on 36” tables. Fees will be detailed in the exhibitor contract.  There are only six 6’ tables and 29 3’ tables. 

Can I get a waiver for the exhibitor's fee?

  • Exhibitor's fees are required for all accepted entries. If you are affiliated with a suiseki club, your club may sponsor an entry on your behalf. Any fee waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact the organizers for additional information.

Who are exhibition jurors and curators?

  • There are 4 jurors this year representing a diversity of backgrounds in the in the suiseki world.  The jurors are Brownlee Currey, Daniela Schifano, Janet Roth, and Sam Edge.  Each juror will be independently presented with an anonymized slate of photos representing the submitted suiseki. The jurors rank the suiseki based on the selection criteria that the organizers provide, with the aim of creating a diverse and interesting suiseki exhibit. The show will be curated by Sam Edge and Janet Roth

When will I find out if my suiseki was accepted? 

  • We anticipate the jury results will be available by December 5th, 2026. If you submitted a suiseki you will receive an email confirming if your suiseki was accepted, chosen as an alternate, or not selected. 

I have a suiseki for the exhibit, but I need a stand/accent/suiban/doban/etc.  Can I rent or borrow one for the exhibit?

  • The organizers are not able to provide display elements for exhibitors.

Do I get free passes if my suiseki are accepted for the exhibit?

  • Yes. Exhibitors will receive one exhibitor pass and one weekend pass for a spouse or friend. 

Will I have help setting up my display at the event?

  • Exhibitors are responsible for setting up their own displays. If you need a cart to move your suiseki, we suggest you bring one. Although volunteers will be onsite to help with setup, we cannot guarantee they will be available to help with specific displays.  

When do I need to bring my suiseki?

  • Exhibitors are required to bring all items for their display to the venue between 9:00 a.m. Thursday, February 4, 2027, and 10 a.m. on Friday, February 5th. Suiseki arriving late may not be included in the show catalog.

When can I take down my display?

  • Exhibitors can pack up their displays after 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 7th. All exhibitor materials shall be removed from the building before 8pm February 7th.

Are there size limits for the suiseki I can submit?

  • If your suiseki is unusually large (over ~36" in any one dimension) please contact the organizers for additional information.

Will my suiseki be photographed?

  • Yes. Photography will be allowed during the exhibit, and the organizers will photograph exhibited suiseki for the event website, in a commemorative album, or for promotional purposes. 

Will there be security at the event?

  • Yes. The event will have professional security guards onsite continuously  Thursday morning through Sunday evening. Volunteer security staff will also be on duty when the event is open to visitors.

Will there be awards for suiseki displays?

  • No awards will be given to suiseki in the show.