| Whether as part of a general Asian décor style | | | | transfer to water fountains. There are also a few |
| or for the practice of feng shui, Asian style water | | | | fountains inspired by the modern style, which uses |
| fountains are among the most popular varieties | | | | more color and symmetry. |
| today. The water fountain specialists at Water | | | | Many indoor and outdoor fountains are even |
| Fountain Place have extensive experience with | | | | designed to mimic the appearance of tea |
| Asian-style fountains, and offer this quick guide to | | | | ceremony vessels. This is fitting; in the Way of |
| three traditional styles | | | | Tea (chado) the implements of the scoop, whisk |
| Koi Water Fountains | | | | and caddy are treated with extreme reverence. |
| Koi (a Japanese ornamental carp similar to | | | | These elements can be incorporated into a |
| goldfish) are probably the most popular Asian | | | | fountain’s spout. Sculptures of flowers may |
| influence on modern water fountain design. They | | | | also be present to acknowledge the role of a |
| are especially popular in outdoor fountains. Many | | | | special flower arrangement in the actual |
| people think of the koi as an ancient symbol due | | | | ceremony. The Way of Tea is associated with |
| to the West’s fascination with Eastern | | | | meditation and skill in action. By practicing the tea |
| mysticism, but in fact, koi were first bread in | | | | ceremony with total devotion, one attains mushin |
| Japan in the 1800s. As koi are often kept in | | | | (“no-mind”) or freedom from conscious |
| Japanese gardens, a koi fountain evokes the idea | | | | distractions, so that the simple act of brewing tea |
| of traditional activities such as poetry, | | | | becomes a form of meditation. |
| contemplation and relaxation with one’s | | | | Chinese Coin Water Fountains and Zennigata |
| friends. | | | | Old Chinese coins can serve as a decorative |
| Note that Zen gardens are dry (not an easy | | | | element in a water fountain or as the basis for |
| environment for a carp!), so koi are not strictly a | | | | the whole fountain’s design. Old Chinese coins |
| Zen symbol, but represent the “floating | | | | have a square hole in the center. This allowed |
| world” ((Ukiyo) of artistic, pleasurable living | | | | people to tie them together in strings. For |
| that came to prominence after the end of | | | | centuries, Chinese folk religion has equated |
| Japan’s bloody civil wars. This is the age and | | | | coinage with special power. Old coins were made |
| environment that inspired famous woodblock | | | | into charms to ward off bad luck and of course, |
| prints of geisha, samurai and sumo wrestlers. So | | | | attract wealth and fortune. Coins are incorporated |
| as you can see, a little fish on your fountain might | | | | into amulets, clothing and even swords. Coins |
| mean a lot! | | | | connect to water because water is a symbol of |
| Raku Ware and Tea Ceremony Style Water | | | | prosperity in feng shui. |
| Fountains | | | | Coin symbolism (and the designed of Chinese |
| Raku Ware refers to a pottery style used in | | | | coins themselves) also made its way to other |
| Japanese tea ceremony (chaonyu) vessels. Classic | | | | Asian societies, including Japan and Korea. |
| raku ware consists of a shiny black finish, the | | | | Japanese coin-shaped basins called zennigata |
| artistic imperfections (real or simulated) of | | | | contain water used for misogi, the practice of |
| handcrafted work. It’s a very popular style to | | | | ritual purification in the Shinto religion. |