Ja p a ne s e G a r de n E - n e w s

Volume 7 October 2006

TA K E
Eiji (Age) Morozumi Landscape Designer Consultant INSIDE THIS ISSUE
In Japan Plant of the month WaterWater-harp hollow Footprint Womens Quotation

Have a break, have a Green tea

SUIKINKUTSU WATER-HARP HOLLOW

There is unique feature of the Perth Zoo Japanese garden which involves dripping water. It is called a water-harp hollow or suikinkutsu in Japanese. Suikinkutsu originated about 200 years ago when a Japanese gardener noticed a mysterious sound coming from a small drainage cave or hollow beside a washbasin. The construction became a secret skill of gardeners in Edo period of Japanese history. The Japanese Garden at Perth Zoo was created by the zoos horticultural team in 1989 to a design from Hyogo prefecture. In 2001, when the garden underwent a major revamp, the new design and construction work was undertaken by landscaper designer and contractor Eiji Morozumi who built the suikinkutsu. How does it work? Water trickles through stones on the surface, then drops into a void created by an upside-down ceramic pot about 80cm wide and 1m deep. When the water drop strikes a saucer filled with water at the base of the hollow, the sound is magnified by the space and the stones surrounding the pot. It really bears an uncanny resemblance to the sound of a harp. If you get a chance to listen to one, you are bound to be as intrigued and impressed as I was. I have not heard about this feature in any Australian gardens. It turns out that, even in Japan, it has become a forgotten art. At a cost of about $3000, it is relatively expensive to build and because it is mostly underground, it does not get much notice. You also need a quiet spot to hear it without some form of amplification. The harp in the zoo gardens needs a hollow length of bamboo to hear its beautiful sounds. Apart from the beautiful and natural sound, the suikinkutsu represents a secret and special addition to any garden. I think it has relevance for Australians because we can all appreciate the timeless nature and calming, contemplative atmosphere at the beginning or end of our day. There is nothing like the sound of water to wash away your conflicts and cares. TEXT: NEVILLE PASSMORE Next issue I will show you how to make Suikinkutsu Copyright Japanese Landscaping 2006

Mens rule for Women

Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one. Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work!

JUST SAY IT! Window cleaning

Wet the newspaper and excess some water and start cleaning window. Then use dry news paper to dry it. The ink on newspaper helps to clean window and when drying, helps to shine the window.

I wanted to say Thank you

I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort for friendship was that one had to explain nothing. Katherine Mansfield

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October 2006 Volume 7

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In Japan
. What is not done in Japan
Kissing in public: Among Japanese it is considered shameful to kiss in front of other people. Embrace; It is considered impolite in Japan to touch, hug or embrace someone. It is even unusual for boys and girls to hold hands, unless they are in love. Shoes in the house: Shoes are never worn inside a Japanese house. Looking in someones kitchen: It is considered impolite in Japan to have a look in the kitchen of a home you are visiting. Starting civil court proceedings: Japanese people in their everyday life emphasize relationships based on mutual trust rather than on contractual obligation. Most problems that are civil in nature are solved, therefore, by discussions or through the mediation of a third party. Legal proceedings are resorted to only when the relationship between the parties involved has considerably deteriorated. The number of lawyers in Japan is only one-thirtieth that of the USA total. Pass food to others with chopstick to chopstick: You do only to pick up the bones at crematory and pass to another person.

Irises
These beautiful flowers were originally named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, as the shades of their colouring and markings are reminiscent of those of the rainbow. You can grow anywhere but need good soil preparation. In Japan they often plant in the stream or edge of the pond in group. Also just near the water will be nicely balanced and compromises to scenery. Photos are Kenroku-en, one of Japans best three garden in may. (Itinerary of our Japan tour in next May)

Footprint
4 years working at the Main Roads Department taught me how to deal with other people including the boss. I always went to see him if I had not only questions but some suggestions and never left until I understood everything 100%. This activity was carried out after work, mainly over the red wine time. I didnt get any overtime pay, even we were discussing work, but I didnt care because I was learning so much from it. I also introduced the boys to using surveying instruments. You should see the boys eyes when I said I will teach you to do my job and we all make turn to do each others job. They all had a go and they loved it and I got good result from it. Because boys were really enjoying what they do and we were all concentrating hard meant hardly any mistakes were made so every job finished ahead of schedule. In summer, if we were working near the coast, we started work early like 5:30 am and finish 2:30pm then went beach for fishing or snorkelling etc. I was enjoying my life in the bush but also missed city life too and I couldnt get any higher position which made me think about what I really wanted do in this lovely country.
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J a p a n es e G a rd en E-n ews

October2006 Volume 7

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TAKE

Japanese Landscaping
197 Edgewater Drive Edgewater WA 6027 Australia Tel/Fax +61 08 9405 4456
info@japaneselandscaping.com.au www.japaneselandscaping.com.au

Japanese Alps in Autumn

Mother Teresa: Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other - it doesn't matter who it is and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other

My partner, now my wife Kay suggested to make Japanese gardens. I looked around and thought This is Australia. There is opportunity. I can try. I said Goodbye to bush life and come back to Perth. I studied Japanese culture and landscaping. Shortly after establishing my business, I employed a Japanese landscaper for a year, from whom I gained advice and knowledge. Until that time, I had carried information in my head, but then it became part of my whole being. It was like water going into desert sand. In the early stages I sometimes became frustrated with myself because I had not quite mastered the skills required to follow my designs, but all I needed was to practice and practice till I got it right. My upbringing in Japan helped enormously with my new business, like being on time for appointments and keeping my promises to clients, such as starting and finishing on time etc. Often my clients who were building new homes told me Eiji, you are the only tradesman who works on time, you started the day you said you would and finished on time too. I said Its my business and I cant afford not to keep my schedule. In 1990, the Landscape Industries Association had their first Industry award and I was very fortunate to win their major award Landscaper of the year I was very happy that at last some professional people not only accepted my work but gave me a title. This award gave me some positives such as confidence to believe what I do is OK and also never to drop my standards on jobs.
Left : 1983 Job To be Continued

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Womens rule for Men Girls are petty, get over it

Chinese saying Follow the local custom when you go to a foreign place .

Coming in the November TAKE 5

In Japan DIYWater feature Plant of the Month Footprint

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