THE JAPANESE GARDEN 187 



The mere sight of a rustic gate, bridge or hedge-gap 

 stimulates. It suggests a hidden mystery. There is 

 something unknown and undefined beyond. The flower- 

 lover makes his perambulation by slow stages, each 

 delightful, and each a stimulant for what is to follow. 



The Japanese garden never proves its interest more 

 thoroughly than as a separate section of a small garden. 

 Complete and perfect in itself, giving a definite impression 

 of finality, it is yet only an item in the complete scheme. 

 It does not really matter how small it is ; so long as the 

 proportions of its ingredients are correct it will have the 

 same effect. 



What are the features of a typical Japanese garden ? 

 There is water. It is not an ugly pool, stiff in form and 

 bare-margined, having a dragged-in appearance, but is 

 of irregular shape, probably with islands carefully pro- 

 portioned to its size, and planted with flowers. There 

 is probably a waterfall, down which the water splashes 

 softly. There is almost certainly a rustic bridge, large 

 or small according to the size of the stream which it spans, 

 for every detail must be in proportion. There are Alpine 

 regions, perhaps planted with Firs, and with foothills 

 that are clothed with miniature Pines. A temple may 

 rear its head reflectively among the trees, or a gay tea- 

 house crown a knoll, with lanterns hung about it. Small 

 pieces of glass strung together overhead will tinkle gently 

 in the wind. On the lower areas there will be masses 

 of flowers of Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Cherries, Irises 

 and Chrysanthemums in their seasons, interspersed with 

 groups of Bamboos, Cryptomerias, Retinosporas, Cupres- 

 susses and other graceful coniferous trees. There will 

 be rockeries aglow with bloom. Around the tea-house 

 may hang the beautiful mauve clusters of the Wistaria. 



In the Japanese garden where there is no room for 



