Tending to the Stream in Autumn: The Secrets of the Sounds of Water from Murin-an’s Cascades

October 15, 2019 (Tues.)
Today is yet another lively autumn day in Murin-an’ s garden. We report here on how we take care of Murin-an’s stream and the ringing sound of its cascades.

With autumn’s arrival, the mountains and fields have now entered a season of ripe maturity. There having been no significant damage from the recent Typhoon Hagibis, tranquility has been restored inside Murin-an, and the usual rhythmic sounds of its cascades are ringing out.

(The garden landscape before the arrival of autumn colors)

Because Murin-an’s stream is preserved through the steady care given to it by its gardener, regular cleaning is indispensable.

(Stone polishing is also a part of garden care)

If leaves accumulate between the stones, the water’s flow changes too, and so does the amount of water flowing to the bottom. This work is done even amid rainy weather.

（Garden work being done in the rain）

Fallen leaves are removed using bamboo brooms and whisk brooms.　
Painstaking leaf removal cleaning is necessary in places where the breadth of water flow is narrow and in areas such as where the sweetflag grass and iris flowers grow.

(Cleaning the stream around the irises)

(Cleaning the area around the sweetflag)

Smoothing out the water stream allows a sufficient amount of water to be maintained downstream. Look out at the Higashiyama mountains from either the 8-tatami mat space or the 10-tatami mat space and there is the stream that was once divided in two converging into one.

（Scene seen from the 8-tatami mat room’s veranda）

You can hear the sounds of water from the cascade naturally blending into the ear, but have you ever looked at the stones that give the cascade its shape? There is actually a place where a water basin is used as a garden stone.

(The confluence of the two streams)

While it may be only a slight difference, incorporating a water basin into the stone arrangement allows the water to resonate through the hollowed out area created by laying the basin on its side.

(Water basin used as a garden stone)

From temple pillar stones to mill stones and roof tiles, looking for various things used for purposes that are different than what was originally intended could be a fun way to enjoy a stroll through the garden.

（There are roof tiles in different areas of the garden）