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Whether your creating a japanese garden, japanese tea garden, zen garden
or just wish to add just a touch of japanese culture to your garden, the stone basin and a
bamboo fountain is a wonderful way to add culture and provide soothing sounds of falling
water.
There are no set rules for the placement of the basin fountain in the
japanese garden and there are many ways to set them up. Included is a brief history of the
japanese water basin and several styles of fountain set-up. I have also included
several examples of the tsukubai basin placement in the garden to give you few ideas for
your japanese garden creation!
Japanese Garden Fountain History
The stone water basin or fountain has had a time honored place in japanese
gardens for centuries. Stone basin fountains or "chozubachi" originated in
ancient shrines and temples for worshipers to wash their hands and rinse their mouths
before entering the shrine as an act of purifying the mind and body. The fountain
originated as "chozubachi's", which were usually 16" or taller in height.
Tea-masters later redesigned the fountain bowls for japanese tea gardens to the height of
12" or shorter to create the "tsukubai". The tsukubai or crouching
bowl was designed to humble guest and create the right state of mind before guests joined
the tea ceremony. Many japanese gardens today have both the chozubachi and tsukubai and
are fed with water from a bamboo spout called "kakei".
 Setting up a Water Basin Fountain
There are many ways to set-up a water basin and bamboo fountain, but here
are just several examples. In Japan, most water basins are fed with fresh water through a
bamboo fountain where water flows over the basin into a hidden reservoir that contains a
drain pipe. This photograph is from the book japanese courtyard gardens - to purchase
this book online please see our favorite books link. This stone fountain basin is a
"chozubachi" because it is taller in height. Its beautiful aged look and
distinct antique patina developed from the flowing water from the bamboo spout.
 In this enchanting view, the
"tsukubai" or crouching basin fountain is set-up in a water reservoir with a
traditional japanese bamboo t-bar fountain, but it is very unique in that the reservoir of
water is viewed around the basin and not hidden. Although this is rarely seen, I find it
very visually appealing. The above water reservoir provides a delicate reflection of the
surrounding plants in combination with a riverbed of colored pebbles. It would also
provide a lovely retreat for birds and wildlife.
Get creative and add personal touches to your garden creation to make your
own personal retreat!
Japanese Garden Water Basin
and Bamboo Fountain Construction / Set-up
 Traditional
Overflowing Basin
This is the traditional japanese garden
set-up for a "tsukubai" water basin fountain. The basin is slightly set so the
water runs over only the front of the basin into a hidden reservoir.
Equipment needed: basin with no hole, variable rate pump, 2 pieces of rebar and
place mesh grate over it, gravel, reservoir liner and bamboo fountain spout.
 Self Contained Fountain w/ Reservoir
A basin could also be set-up where the water does not overflow outside the
basin, but does have a reservoir. The advantage of this set-up is the pump is hidden in
the reservoir and holds a larger amount of water, thus would not need to be topped off
with water as often.
Equipment needed: basin w/ hole, variable
rate pump, bricks or cinder blocks, 2 pieces of rebar and place mesh grate over it, gravel
and a 40 mil. reservoir liner and bamboo fountain.
Japanese Garden Tsukubai
Placement with a Sea of Gravel
 There are no set
rules on placement of the tsukubai fountain (crouching bowl) in the japanese garden, but
as a general rule it is best to separate the basin from waterfalls for the two strong
elements will compete for attention. Set a stone lantern nearby for vertical balance.
Placement and set-up of the basin and bamboo fountain is mainly a matter of the garden
creators preference. I have seen basins placed with a sea of gravel and many without any
sea. Here are two examples of placing a basin in a sea.
In japanese tea gardens, the tsukubai are often seen set up either placed
on the "edge of the sea" or placed in the "center of the sea". A
flat rock is usually placed directly in front of the basin for which a person would stand
while washing. Two larger rocks on each side of the basin balances the setting. A
bed of gravel represents the sea and covers the reservoir. Placed at the "edge
of the sea", the basin can be self-contained or overflowing down the front into the
reservoir. For the overflowing effect, the basin should be slightly higher in the back so
the water spills only down its front into the sea of gravel.
 In the
"center of sea" placement, the basin is placed in the middle of the sea of
gravel surrounded by stones. The basin can be set-up with or without a reservoir or
self-contained.
For more information on japanese gardens, japanese tea gardens, japanese
garden history, japanese garden ideas and placement of japanese garden
ornaments.
 Bamboo Basin Fountain - "Kakei"
Bamboo fountains or "kakei" have been used in japanese gardens for centuries to
provide flowing water into the basins. The most traditional bamboo fountain is a T-bar
style fountain shown on the left made of natural bamboo. The spout portion of the
bamboo fountain can be left long or cut down to prefered length. Long and short spout
bamboo fountains are very prominent in japanese gardens and is a matter of the creators
preference.
 Deer Chaser - "Shishi-Odoshi"
Deer chasers can also be used in
combination with the stone fountain for it creates an eye catching fountain and provides a
serene rhythmic sound. The shishi-odoshi or deer chaser was originally developed by
japanese farmers to scare off deer and boar from crops. Deer chasers were later used
in japanese gardens as its fountain movement provided an element of change. As the water
flows from the bamboo fountain spout, the knocking portion fills and spills the water
creating a rhythmic knocking sound as it hits a rock. To
order our deer chaser click here.
Visit our Granite Basins page to see a variety of granite basins &
fountains for your garden!
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