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About
My initial encounter with Chinese Scholar Stones happened in 1991 when visiting China for the first time. Whilst touring the gardens of Suzhou I was intrigued by the many curios stones I saw displayed, their strange shapes appealed to something within me. Later when walking around the lanes of Suzhou I came across a shop with a stone for sale in the window, here was one of the strange garden stones, but smaller and mounted on a stand, I went in enquired about the stone and purchased it. I now regard this as the beginning of my stone collection, the stone, a Ying-shi, is of great sentimental value to me, I named it 'First Step' and it can be seen below. 
In 1994 a selling exhibition featuring many fine Chinese and Japanese stones, titled When Men and Mountains Meet, was held at a leading London Asian antique gallery. I attended the exhibition, which was my first exposure to Japanese suiseki, and seeing the beauty in these wonderful stones had a deeply profound effect on me... a eureka moment. This event was to be a major influence on the direction I took with stone collecting, and since then I have found myself favouring stones from Japan with my approach and collection now reflecting this. Six of the suiseki from When Men and Mountains Meet now reside in my collection. Over the years I have exhibited a number of my suiseki at exhibitions and conventions within the UK, Europe and America. In addition, since 2006 I have visited Japan to attend the Nippon Suiseki Association's annual exhibition, the Meihinten, and later, since 2014, the NSA's now main show held in February (the same time as Kokufu) During these visits I have also been fortunate to see a number fine suiseki collections, being exposed to such stones and talking to their owners has helped a lot with my understanding and appreciation of the subject. I was delighted and honoured, when in both 2007 and 2010, two of my suiseki were accepted to be included in the Meihinten itself, these stones can be seen in the following two photos taken at the exhibitions.
In 2001 I decided to create a website to offer stones to collectors and was encouraged by how well it was received. With hard work and dedication it has expanded over the years and through my contacts with Japan I am able to offer quality Japanese suiseki to discerning collectors. Since then I have supplied suiseki and associated display items to customers throughout the world, some of whom I am privileged to say have become friends. Finally, the following line from an old Chinese folk song expresses very well my sentiment of stone appreciation. "exquisite stones can sing you songs, if you use your heart and soul to listen". Thank you kindly for your interest in my website. Sincerely, David Sampson Customer Testimonials
"never disappoints" "12 years as a customer and over 80 suiseki later my heart still pounds with excitement when I receive a delivery from David. Offering hand selected Japanese suiseki of the most refined taste and fairest prices. He never disappoints!"
David Goscinski, California, USA
"each transaction has been without issue" "I have purchased many items from David including books, stones, suibans, and dobans. His communication is timely, his packing superb and each transaction has been without issue. We highly recommend him."
Sam & KJ Edge, California, USA
"the stones from you have far surpassed the pictures of them" "Dave, I would just like to let you know how much I have appreciated all of your help over the past few years in adding to my suiseki collection. As I have told you, I have many stones from here in the U.S. and other countries, but none of the stones can surpass the beauty and quality of the stones I have gotten from you. It was not my practice to purchase stones without seeing them personally until I got my first stones from you. And, in every instance, the stones from you have far surpassed the pictures of them that you provided. Just three months ago, I saw another of your stones on your website and thought that at the price you were offering, it might not be of the finest quality; you cannot imagine my pleasure when I received this stone and it was excellent and is a grand addition to my collection. And, most of all, I treasure the friendship that has developed between you and me. Meeting you was such a pleasure when you visited the U.S. and my husband and I were delighted with the time we spent with you. I look forward with anticipation to future stones from you. Thank you so much."
Gloria Dugger, Georgia, USA
"in safe hands with Dave" "I have known Dave since 1989 when he first visited my Bonsai garden. That first meeting was prophetic, as despite all the lovely Bonsai I had for sale, Dave purchased a rock from me! Dave and I quickly became close friends, initially sharing a common love for Bonsai, and then Suiseki. We have shared many adventures and projects togethers, and during the last years I have also been a customer for Dave's Suiseki and Japanese object d'art. In all the many years I have known Dave I have never known him to be anything other than reliable, friendly, enthusiastic, knowledgable, and someone of great integrity. I can assure any potential customer of djsampson.com that they are in safe hands with Dave."
Joe, Hampshire, England
"His suiseki are always of great quality and his prices are fair and realistic" "It has been a pleasure and a privilege to know Dave. A passionate collector of suiseki, knowledgeable and a nice person. His suieski are always of great quality and his prices are fair and realistic. The service offered by Dave is fast and the stones are well packed. You can not ask for more"
Amnon Paldi, Buckinghamshire, England
Chairman of the British Suiseki Club http://suiseki.org.uk "The packaging was excellent and it arrived in excellent condition" "Your wonderful suiseki arrived yesterday. The packing was excellent and it arrived in excellent condition. We were delighted with the piece and will treasure it as our second suiseki as we start on our suiseki journey! "
Ted Schnormeier, Ohio, USA
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Meihinten 2007. Setagawa-ishi, Japan 'Daikoku ten ishi' (16 cm high)
Meihinten 2010. Sajigawa-ishi, Japan (44 cm wide)