Western fountain and Japanese Shishi-Odoshi

Almost all of cultures have nourished water art in its own ways.  It’s not a comparison between Western and Japanese culture, however, there is an interesting contrast.

Western culture keeps the water while Japanese let it flow.

You can see the difference in fountains in each culture.

During the Roman period, for example, they hold water back while constructing water supply system, and build gushing fountains and squares with gorgeous statues.  Those squares became the center of the city, and were necessary to form the cities.  You still can see those heritages at street corners of European cities.

On the contrast, water is something to let flow for Japanese people, and they thought of adding zest to it while it flows.  One of those works is called Shishi-Odoshi.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shishi_odoshi)  Originally, it was built in the river close to fields to scare away insects and small animals with its sound.  However, later it started to be applied to Japanese gardens and artistic houses. 

This Shishi-Odoshi has become something to symbolize Japanese culture.  The reason, I think, is that Shishi-Odoshi has a fine balance among time, space and sound, and it connects to people’s state of mind called Monono-Aware, the feeling which feels sympathy and empathy for the object and becomes profoundly moved by its elegance and charms.

The water flows into a piece of bamboo, and it gains weight little by little.  When reached a breaking point, it releases the tension and water in bursts and makes dry sound which breaks the quiet space.  Time passes away in vain.  However, this exquisitely- choreographed effect gives it something dynamic by creating the tense and release repeatedly. 

When I do not hear anything, I eagerly await for the next release.  I even enjoy the time to wait.