In dry landscape the sand is indispensable. It symbolizes water, as we have already noted. It imparts a sense of freshness and cleanliness; a beautifully raked area of clean sand gives a soothing effect. In feudal times a fresh supply of it was always kept on hand in some gardens in order to scatter it on the path for the Emperor or the Shogun to walk upon the untrodden sand. There has been developed an infinite variety of markings with the rake.
A patch of white sand below the basin of the waterfall in the garden is very effective in contrast with the water of the pond. A sandy beach at the end of a promontary or in an inlet of the garden island, where usually a stone lantern is placed, gives a character to the scene.
