Abstract
This study aims to clarify the structure of the water image-to clarify both the water image as a response to physical elements, and the relations between that image and those elements. The study also aims to ascertain the basic principles of the effective spatial organization of water spaces. The study is based on the following principles : 1. It seeks perceptual water characteristics as causes of the water image, and excludes cognitive ones. 2. It seeks manupulative physical elements which are usable in the architectural and urban design of water spaces. 128 water spaces were chosen as the subjects of the study, on the bases of their giving vivid water images to the author and having numerous, different characteristics. Of these, 5 water spaces were chosen as the primary subjects for attentive observation. They are Paley Partk, the Basin Fountain of the Generalife, Kibune River, Iidabashi Moat, and Poipu Beach. The author made a personal, systematic observation of these subjects as the basis of his study, with the giving of questionnaires to others as a secondary source. He also examined water images in 21 Japanese classic works of literature.
