Page:Japanese Gardens (Taylor).djvu/158

100 on just and unjust, on rich and poor alike; so the poor man has his garden umbrella—a huge one—ready, as in England he has his cotton ‘gamp,’ and it is not unlike an umbrella, or big mushroom, often, in shape. It is permanently set up in the garden. A single post supports its flat round top, frequently left rough, and with the prettily marked bark still upon it. Some single posts have square or octagonal tops, but they still suggest umbrellas. There are larger rest-places with the supports at both ends, like gate tops, with scornful, upcurved corners to their roofs, which are delightfully picturesque. Others, again, have four skeleton posts, and two matted or bamboo sides, with latticed openings and seats—not for sitting on, as we do, but for the suari position, resting on the feet; so that the seat is rather wider than ours would be.

From rustic shelters, up through the simple bamboo arbours, and rough, shed-like structures, we make our way to elaborate and beautiful little houses of one or two matted rooms designed for the ceremonial tea-drinking. In these a very delicate perfection of detail may be found, as in the most exquisite of dwelling-houses, although only intended for occasional use, as a real summer-house would be. For everything that is useful must have beauty, in Japan,