 | | |
26. Flowing, shimmering water
Elusive, fleeting water that trickles into the smallest crack.
Water that becomes a brook, stream, torrent, river, ocean.
Water that blends its voice with the birds flying by, whose simple murmur is enough to cool the spirit and the garden in the summer heat.
It is best to have water flow from the northeast section of the garden to the southwest, having it pass beneath the home;
this purifies and drives away bad influences, and so the master of the place will be in good health and will live a long life.
Sakutei-ki, 11th century
There are no fountains or jets of water in a sansui-type garden; instead, the flow of water is controlled by changes in elevation.
The central goal of the design is to suggest a natural flow, not to restrict it.
Here again, the Sakutei-ki gives much advice on making waterfalls, and actually describes eight types.
The pond and the waterfall should be oriented at a specific angle to the sun, so as to allow it to be reflected in the water.
Dams and ridges can be used, too, to make a brook "sing."
In making a waterfall about one metre high, you must use mountain stone,
as this will give a more pleasant appearance: the rough surface [...] makes the waterfall interesting.
|
|
