The Historical Development of Modern Fountains in Japanese Gardens

Abstract

This study was focused on modern fountains in the Japanese garden. The fountain has not previously been emphasized as a garden facility in Japan, and there are not many previous studies on this subject. So, we discussed the hi storical development of modern fountains in Japanese gardens from the Meiji period to the pre-war days of the Showa period. First, considering the examples of the vocabulary of fountain in the landscape architecture-related terms, its transition shows that the fountain which was new in the Meiji period was generalized after 1955 circa. And then, examining the examples of modern fountains in gardens of Japan as much as possible, and the development of garden modern fountains in Japan were considered historically. We collected 449 image materials of fountains and 36 newspaper and magazine articles. Through the analysis of those research material, the modern fountains of Japanese gardens were appeared in the mid of Meiji period. Those fountains were installed at the redeveloped park of precincts of temples and shrines. Also early examples of fountains were observed at the gardens of nobles and authority. Through Taisho and Showa periods, fountains of Japanese gardens were seems to be increasing. And then after the Pacific War era, fountains were getting popular but the fountains of the Japanese garden were losing its popularity.