蹲� (tsukubai) water basin and 水�窟 (suikinkutsu) listening well at Enko-ji, Kyoto
posted December 12, 2005
Water that runs out of the tsukubai basin　(well, maybe it’s not really a tsukubia; it’s not used as such, anyway) filters through the stones and drips down into a huge clay pot buried in the ground, and then down into the soil. In the pot, however, equilibrium of water inflow and outflow is maintained, and there is a certain water level, so that the water dripping in from the top hits the surface of the water and resonates with a sound most pleasant. bamboo poles are provided so that you can put your ear to one end, while the other is just over the pot. The sound you hear is like this.
I think I saw the same thing at Sambo-in in April, but that one only had one large bamboo listening place. Are they common, or was I lucky? At least I know what they are called now. Thank you.
Not common, but they are around. There’s one at the Kyoto Botanical Gardens, as well.
Once again our paths almost cross. I still check your site from time to time. We wouldn’t have found Enko-ji without it. Thanks.
http://www.pbase.com/dhogan/image/53689576
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