The Dubbo Regional Botanic Garden is growing and changing so rapidly that in all the excitement it would be easy to miss the subtle details that make it a very special place.
Upon close inspection many of the plants and features in the garden reveal surprising and delightful characteristics. One such feature is the suikinkutsu, the Japanese water harp near the Chakoya (Japanese Tea House).
The mysterious, melodic suikinkutsu cannot be seen, only heard. It is constructed using a large empty ceramic pot, buried upside down in the ground to create a resonant chamber. When water drips into the chamber through a hole in the top, the pot rings like a bell, making a sound resembling a Japanese zither (koto).
The suikinkutsu has been installed next to the chouzubachi, a traditional Japanese stone basin for washing hands before the tea ceremony. Water splashed from the basin drains through the stones at the base into the suikinkutsu causing it to quietly chime.
The famous tea ceremony teacher, Kobori Enshu who lived during the Edo period (1603-1867), is usually credited with inventing the suikinkutsu and had one in his garden. After the Edo period, the instrument was largely forgotten until it experienced a revival in popularity during the late twentieth century.
When you next visit Shoyoen (the Japanese garden) find the chouzubachi outside the Tea House, gently splash water onto the stones and listen closely for the soothing and relaxing sound of the suikinkutsu.
by Ian McAlister and Karen Hagan