Suikinkutsu, literally "water-zither-cave," is a unique instrument associated with washing for the Japanese tea ceremony. Water drips from a chozubachi stone basin into a partly-filled underground ceramic bowl. The dripping sound, resembling a koto zither, is then projected up through bamboo tubes into a garden, where water may symbolize spirit, purification, solace, and reflection.

Dating to the mid 17th century Edo period, the name suikinkutsu is often credited to the famous tea ceremony teacher Kobori Enshu. After a decline, the instrument re-emerged in the Meiji Era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with renewed recent popularity.
This soundscape of Kyoto's Enko-ji Temple suikinkutsu is a multitrack composition created from field recordings. At low volume one experiences a subtle acoustic ecology where ever-changing water rhythms flow randomly into the pulsing surround of summer cicadas.

Produced, Recorded, Photographed, and Annotated by Steven Feld
Edited, Mixed, and Mastered by Manny Rettinger at UBIK Sound
Designed by Michael Motley
With many thanks to Yoichi Yamada