CHAPTER VIII
WELLS, WATER-BASINS, ETC.
“The Morning Glory
Her leaves and bells has bound
My bucket handle round.
I could not break the bands
Of those soft hands.
The bucket and the well I left;
Lend me some water, for I come bereft.”
Not only from practical utility, but from the ethical and æsthetic suggestion which water makes to the Japanese mind also, are wells a necessity in their gardens. So much stress is laid on their ornamental qualities, as an aid to a garden’s beauty, that often there are two wells, one with artistic surroundings in keeping with the whole scheme, and another nearer the house, less elaborate (though never ugly in design), for constant use. But wherever it is placed,—and of course there are rules as to where it may be and where it may not (and how the water diviner gets over that difficulty I really cannot say),—it must be ornamental or simple according to the design of
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