Stone Collecting at the Sea in Niigata, Black-Spotted Stone | Memories No. 123 |

Stone picking trip｜Niigata prefecture coast

November 17, 2022. After finishing stone collecting with Charism ANDO in Ishikawa, instead of heading home, we ended up staying in Toyama and now find ourselves collecting stones in Niigata. Before I knew it, we had already arrived at the coast. This is a beach famous for its jade. I’ve visited many times in the past, and it’s also where I first did some serious stone collecting with Thoroughbred K, so it feels quite nostalgic.

There are plenty of good stones on this beach besides jade. I think I’ve mentioned in past journals that I’ve never found jade here. It’s not something amateurs can easily pick up. Every now and then, among the tourists, you see someone who looks like a “jade hunter,” and I imagine they are the ones who manage to get their hands on it.

These jade hunters often carry a stone-picking tool—what looks like a long stick with a ladle attached at the end. I’m just speculating, but I think they use it to dig out newly washed-up jade at the shoreline or unearth jade hidden among the stones. (Or maybe it’s just a rake for gathering shells…)

So today, I will once again just collect ordinary stones. I hope ANDO enjoys picking them too, but I’ve already lost sight of him. ANDO is impatient and restless. He’s probably not suited for fishing either.

The stones here have several distinctive features. The first is the speckled stone. It has a light beige base with black spots, resembling a spotted seal. Another type is what is called a “landscape stone,” which is made of rhyolite. Its flowing patterns are unique, and sometimes those patterns resemble scenes from nature, like a watercolor or ink painting.

zazazan.zan.

Roll, roll, roll〜.

Are you ready, ANDO?

It’s possible that the small figure in the distance could be a jade hunter. I have a sense of it from their aura, but they might be someone else. Probably someone else.

From a distance, this coastline also gives an overall gray impression. In this diary, I’ve mentioned gray and parking lots so often that I can almost hear readers who have been with me since the first entry saying, “We get it already, it’s gray.” However, I want to emphasize this point.

The unique and mysterious stones that I and other stone enthusiasts share on social media are found amidst this infinite gray. It’s true that there are people who love this endless gray, such as Ishizuki-san and Asuka-san. In fact, that’s what makes a true stone lover.

Despite picking up stones for over a decade, my heart remains immature and unchanged.

Such unnecessary thoughts still linger in the corner of my mind even now, and when I’m picking up stones, I’m often lost in some kind of contemplation.

When I give interviews or write something, I often describe being in a light meditative state or finding a sense of tranquility while picking up stones. But that’s not entirely true. Well, it’s not entirely a lie. There are times when that is the case.

However, my default state is that my thoughts are constantly circulating, so it’s unavoidable.

Being in a state of mindlessness while picking up stones usually happens when I’m particularly relaxed or when the stones are exceptionally good, like in Aomori. During those times, I enter the zone. The Stone Zone.

Glistening at the water’s edge. Not at all the infinite gray. I should stop writing random things.

There are places covered in stones, and places where stones are scattered here and there. This beach is definitely among the top three for ease of stone picking.

Roll, roll, roll~.

Stones are lined up along the edge of a concrete surface. It’s a trace of stone collecting that is occasionally seen. I find it incredibly endearing and it makes me happy.

By the way, I’ve never borrowed stones from here.

Somehow, just having the stones lined up makes it feel like a sacred ritual.

When I’m writing something related to stones or arranging stones, I’ve realized that if picking up stones can be considered a form of prayer, then arranging stones might be like a personal ritual.

And with multiple stones present, people can’t help but arrange them in some manner. Is it an innate desire for order or pattern?

As expected from a place famous for jade, there are many people collecting stones here.

Everyone, you won’t find jade here—let’s pick up ordinary stones instead.

Jade, jade… People obsessed with jade. (No offense)

It seems I ended up collecting quite a few stones. Of course, most of them will be left at the beach.

Oh, by the way, some of ANDO’s stones are mixed in here. I don’t remember which ones, but actually, he was quietly picking up stones. He seemed to mumble complaints and throw some of them, but he was picking up stones nonetheless.

I’m grateful for any complaints he makes. It’s a form of response, after all. Indifference is the hardest thing to deal with.

In past entries, there was a man named Matthew who appeared—an evil spirit of stones. He was indifferent to stones, kept throwing them, and neglected the water stone given to him with good intentions.

Hmm. What do you think?
First Selection.

Selection among twelve stones. The impression is still that there are many rhyolite stones. However, not all flowing patterns are necessarily rhyolite, and it’s not entirely clear. It’s sad due to lack of study.

Stone Twelve, Part Two. Although the number of spots is few, the stone with spots described earlier is the second stone from the left in the middle row.

Stone Twelve, Part Three. The small, reddish stone on the bottom left is quite charming. It seems that in recent years, I have developed a liking for smaller stones.

Stone Twelve, Part Four. There are several speckled stones. I used to think that stones with more spots are the most interesting, but the stone on the bottom left, with its delicate scattering of black spots on a sand beige base, is exquisite and pleasing. I definitely want this stone. I’m not sure if I brought it back; I don’t remember.

Probably, this is a stone picked up by ANDO. A trio of stones. I remember the pattern that looks like it was scratched by a claw on the right. Nice job, ANDO. Though he is known for being rough, he surprisingly makes quite delicate selections when it comes to stone picking. It’s a reminder not to judge people based on impressions alone.

A stone with a notable presence. Mysterious energy emanates from the black stripes.

It also has a distinct pattern on the back. Although this stone is larger than my usual size reference, the size of a chicken egg, I still decided to leave it after much deliberation.

What’s this? Still not done collecting?
Rolling, rolling, rolling~.

Rolling~.

zazazazan.

Glossy and smooth stones are endlessly fascinating, no matter how many you see.

Wandering in the surf, all hazy and dreamy.

Additional three-stone collection.

Stone hunting concluded with this.

Heading home now.

Despite everything, it seems that ANDO enjoyed the stone hunting. Typically, TADA and I go on a stoic journey focused solely on stones, but this time, the sightseeing added by ANDO was also enjoyable.

Scenes of My Hometown.

I love my hometown.

Thank you, ANDO.

Returning to Kanazawa, I bought a station bento and hopped on the train.

Delicious. Goodbye.
Clunk-clunk.

Stones picked up from the sea｜Niigata prefecture coast

Here are the stones I brought back. There’s the scratched stone from ANDO. And, unfortunately, the delicate black-spotted stone is missing. Regrettable.