Before & After: Tsukubai Front Garden
I would say that this is a typical, under loved entry way, but the makeover that this homeowner gave to the front of his home is so perfect and inviting and radically improves the curb appeal.
This is a tsukubai (蹲踞) garden. A tsukubai is a small basin provided in Japanese Buddhist temples for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. I love the idea of putting one at the entry to the home as if to signify the entry into your own private temple retreat.
Tsukubai are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small scoop, laid across the top, ready for use. A supply of water is provided via a bamboo pipe called a kakei.
As another DIY touch, this is indoor “table lamp” was converted for outdoor use with a roof, base and a waterproof switch.
All images by justaninja
michelle d. said,
August 25, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Love the garden. Dislike the fence.
It’s totally incongruent with the architecture in every aspect ; size of boards, height of extended posts and height of overall fence structure and coloration.
Bill Kisich said,
August 25, 2009 @ 10:42 pm
I love the Garden. I really love the light fixture. Nice work for a DIY project.
private said,
June 24, 2010 @ 6:20 am
Love the courtyard. I even like the fence from the inside – the filtered light and privacy and lines are great inside. The color nicely matches the tone of the brick for light dark value, and yet adds a very natural element with a contrasting backlit horizontal line. From the outside, it’s sort of like a delivered crate. I do wonder what the fence looks like from the street, in the neighborhood. Maybe it wants a dogwood on the outside, or even a twisted pine, and some liriope. It looks fabulous so far, but every marvelous project has an edge of the finished part.
This project breaks some rules – it obscures the doorway, and crowds the driveway. Does it want a welcome sign next to the door, or something more subtle? But I applaud the homeowner who decided it was worth breaking rules to create a beautiful space. It would be lovely to walk through that garden daily.