The azimuthal nematic bistability was realized by frustration between two azimuthally orthogonal anchoring axes induced by a nanoimprinted groove pattern and mechanical rubbing. The nematic bistability can be explained by the revised Berreman model of groove-induced surface anchoring, recently introduced by Fukuda et al. ͓Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 187803 ͑2007͔͒. The azimuthal bistability can be tuned in arbitrary direction by changing the groove pitch and rubbing conditions. This simple

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... l scheme may be considered as a practical candidate for bistable displays with tailored bistable directions required in various liquid crystal device modes.