Japanese culture attaches a special meaning to water sources. There are two main types of Japanese fonts: Tsukubai font, Shishi-Odoshi font. Both sources have a rich cultural history.

Tsukubai is a Japanese term that translates to “squat or crouch” in English. The Tsukubai fountain is a Japanese fountain usually found outside Buddhist temples and Japanese tea gardens. Visitors must “squat or crouch”, that is, crouch down and perform the cleansing ritual before entering the temple. This cleansing ritual is conceptually similar to the ablution ritual performed in Christian churches. This Tsukubai cleansing ritual involves washing your hands and rinsing your mouth. This cleansing ritual is performed before entering Buddhist temples for tea ceremonies.

A Tsukubai fountain is usually made from a stone bowl, known as a chozubachi. The highlight of Tsukubai is a bamboo pipe, also known as a kakei. A small bamboo spoon is placed on top of the basin, ready to be used to perform the cleansing ritual. Tsukubai fountains are usually found outside of Japanese tea gardens or in Japanese-themed houses.

A stone lantern, also known as an ishidoro, is placed near the tsukubai to provide light during afternoon tea ceremonies. The arrangement of the stones around the Tsukubai is of vital importance when designing it. Green floras and bamboo plants are a great addition to the area surrounding Tsukubai.

Simple in design, a tsukubai is a beautiful addition to your garden or tea house to increase its zen appeal and add cultural history to intrigue your guests and visitors.

Shishi Odoshi is another Japanese font well known for its quirky style and ancient beauty. Shishi Odoshi literally translates to Deer-Scarer. Japanese farmers used the shishi-odoshi fountain to ward off deer and pests that were destroying their agriculture.

As Japanese culture progressed, Shishi-Odoshi was used more as a meditation item. His ability to create a calm serenity in his surroundings is really attractive to Zen monks. Shishi-Odoshi is famous for the swinging motion of the bamboo and its “clacking” sound. The bamboo sways back and forth as water fills and empties from the spout. When the bamboo spout gently hits the surface of the sink, it makes a “clicking” sound that is soft and refreshing. People who practice meditation are especially fond of this gentle snapping to focus and concentrate.

A shishi odoshi has become a classic water feature in gardens in recent years due to its cultural history and unparalleled beauty.