I like what you've done.

It's made me look at my small bits of bamboo sleeve (now 5 years old) and realize that they'll soon need to be replaced....

Thanks Herb,

I guess the sleve type of fence serves the purpose of creating a barrier, while the Yotsume-gake more loosely defines an area. Now that you bring this to my attention, I realize that a solid fence probably would have been a more appropriate solution for the space (to conceal the neighbors) until the camellias and hemlocks grow up and create a visual screen.

Isao Yoshikawa has a great book called "Building Bamboo Fences" which has many illustrations and instructions for building different types of bamboo fences, my favorites among the solid screens are the Katsura-gaki and the Misu-gaki. Is your bamboo sleeve a Sode-gaki? Did you purchase it or build it yourself? Ive seen one at a sushi bar, and they look like a nightmare to build from scratch. Mike Yamakami mentioned to me that it is much more economical to buy these types of fences than to construct them. Id love to see a picture when you make the replacement.

-christian

Katsura-gaki

Misu-gaki

Christian - I'm afraid that when I built them I paid no attention at all to following any particular style, or to authentic construction techniques - and after reviewing the names I realise I shouldn't have referred to them as 'sleeve' fences. They just demarcate the separation of one part of the garden from another. I'm posting a picture that shows one of them.

What I really want to get my hands on are some lengths of plastic imitation bamboo that won't deteriorate with the weather.

Click to see the picture

Christian, you learned your lessons well. The fence is a work of art.

Cheers Jando

Very nice and simple fence, Herb. It may not necessarily be 'authentic', but i think it has the right 'feel' and does a good job of defining the space in a subtle manner. I think the artificial bamboo would not satisfy the sensory experience, as the details of the garden are very important to me.

Thank you Jando, you know that I had a great teacher. I am looking forward to meeting you in person at the Symposuim.

-christian

It looks wonderful, Christian. :)
Has Yama-san seen the photographs?

Thanks Cady. Yes, he said that i did a pretty good job for a first timer ;) Of course, the more i look at it, the more mistakes i see, but that is all part of the learning curve. As challenging as the project was, there is certain satisfaction that comes from building something solely from natural materials.

-christian

Outstanding work! I made the yotsume-gaki myself at my tsukubai, and this is much better I think! I had problems finding the correct bamboo for the job, yours is perfect! And i spent 2 evenings just to tie my small fence, that knot is quite laboursome!!

and i like your site a lot!

/Henrik