PASSAGE GARDENS. The Roji-niwa, or Passage Gardens, are those laid out in the narrow courts or approaches to buildings. The same term is sometimes applied to the gardens in front of Tea Rooms, which, as previously explained, are often little more than narrow passages leading to the miniature structures required for the Tea Ceremonial. A distinction is, however, observed between what is purely and simply a Passage Garden, and one which fulfils at the same time the purposes of a Tea Garden. In both, walks of stepping stones arranged in a picturesque manner are the governing features, and likewise in both, an antiquated style is affected; but whereas it is held that a Tea Garden should be poor and humble in character, a Passage Garden, on the contrary, may betoken considerable richness and luxury. Again, the enclosing fences of the former should be dainty and even fragile in appearance, whilst those of the latter must appear strong and durable.
