basins (tsukubai). They are usually made of stone but can be of other materials such as bronze. Water is introduced to the basin through a bamboo pipe (kakei). Though most commonly found in tea gardens, water basins are also used in other types of gardens where they provide a subtle visual touch by reflecting the sky or nearby vegetation. The main difference between the basins found in tea gardens and those in other gardens is that the former are placed close to the ground (tsukubai means “crouching basin”) on a partially buried stone rather than on a pedestal.
Shishi Odoshi
A shishi odoshi consists of a length of bamboo centered over a pivot, with the closed end of the bamboo resting on a stone and the other (open) end tipped up. A pipe feeds water into the open end until the bamboo is heavy enough to drop, releasing its contents onto a graveled patch of ground, basin or stream. The bamboo then returns to its original position, hitting the stone with a “thunk.” The movement and sound of this device, usually called a “deer scare,” originally were used by farmers to frighten away deer and wild boar. The shishi odoshi emphasizes the importance of appealing to all five senses when designing a garden.
Water basin with a ladle resting on bamboo supports, fed by water through a bamboo pipe.
Decorative water basin with an unusual floral shape.
Tea garden water basin set close to the ground.
Millstone transformed into a water basin.
Stone water basin surrounded by multi-level greenery.
Bamboo reflected in a cut stone water basin.
ISLANDS, HILLS AND PAVILIONS
When we think of Japanese gardens, images of mountains and flowing rivers come to mind. Japanese gardens, however, also contain more passive and quiet elements. For example, islands and gently sloping hills provide contrast and balance, just as yin complements yang. A variety of structures, such as pavilions and teahouses, have their own role to play in terms of providing places to rest, to enjoy refreshments and to view the surroundings.
Islands
There is an elaborate classification system for islands based upon shape or special features, such as “mountain isles,” “forest isles,” “bare-beach isles” and “cloud-shaped isles.” In addition to helping create different kinds of landscapes, islands can have more specialized functions such as preventing the pond from being seen as a whole—an example of the “hide-and-reveal” technique discussed elsewhere in the book.
Suizenji Garden in Kumamoto, one of the most beautiful stroll gardens in Japan, is noted for its grass-covered hills, such as the ones shown here, as well as a miniaturized Mount Fuji shown to the left of the photo on pages 138–9.
Japanese black pine (Pinus thunbergii) on islets of the pond at Kinkakuji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Kyoto.
Islands often have symbolic meanings and sacred functions. For example, islands are used to represent the mountainous “isles of bliss” where the immortals live (hōrai islands associated with Taoism, or the crane and turtle islands so ubiquitous in stroll gardens); the sea-enclosed mountain at the center of the universe (Mount Sumeru, or Shumisen, in Sanskrit and Buddhist thought); or Nakajima (“island in the center”) representing the Western Paradise of Pure Land Buddhism. Since these sacred islands were located in a pond representing the sea, they normally were not connected to land by a bridge but had to be reached by boat.
In contrast to ponds representing sacred isles in the sea, ponds can also represent lakes used for recreational purposes as in the Shinden style gardens of aristocrats in the Nara and Heian periods. Such ponds usually have two or more islands connected to each other and to the rest of the garden by bridges.
Islands vary considerably in size depending upon their role in the overall composition as well as the size of the pond. Some islands are large enough to contain a hill (see below) and to be planted with trees whereas other islands may consist of only one or two rocks.
South Pond, Kikugetsutei tea-house, Engetsukyō Bridge and the borrowed scenery of Mount Shiun viewed from the top of Hiraihō Hill at Ritsurin Kōen, Takamatsu. The dark green reflection of the pine trees gives the South Pond a feeling of yūgen—a profound, mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe.
Hills and Flatlands
Japanese gardens are most famous for their depiction of rugged mountain scenery complete with rocky streams and dramatic waterfalls. Sometimes, however, a more gentle landscape is achieved through the use of flowing hills interspersed with lowlands. Hills can be covered with grass or planted with pine trees. They are frequently constructed on islands to provide a contrast to the flatness of the surrounding pond or to block a view of part of the pond. Hills also offer elevated spots for viewing the rest of the garden or as a location for a pavilion. A particularly interesting device, sometimes used in karesansui gardens, is to use trimmed bushes to create abstract shapes suggestive of hills.
Flatlands include plains, fields or marshes where the beauty of grasses and water plants is emphasized. The use of flatlands is particularly prominent in large stroll gardens such as Shūgakuin Detached Palace near Kyoto.
Kōrakuen Garden in Okayama, one of the three most famous stroll gardens in Japan, notable for its grassy expanses.
Pavilions and Other Structures
Garden structures include pavilions, teahouses, privies and small ornamental features such as water wheels. Pavilions are most commonly found in tea ceremony and large stroll gardens. In tea roji, they are used as places to sit while waiting for the tea master to summon guests to the tea ceremony. In stroll gardens, they are used as resting places. The latter type of pavilion usually has a good view of the surrounding scenery.
Teahouses and associated privies also are most commonly located in tea roji and large stroll gardens. Their function is the same in either location. Teahouses, which can be small and austere or large and comfortable, are the site of formal tea ceremonies. Associated privies were, at one time, used by guests but are today purely ornamental.
Ornamental features such as water wheels, wisteria arbors and wells are found in various types of Japanese gardens where their basic function is to add interest by providing a contrast with the more natural surroundings. The layering of various elements also lends depth to a garden.
Framing Devices
When
