The garden just referred to offers several fine examples of the interesting details which characterise designs of the best style. The upper illustration of Plate XXV. shows a peculiar kind of garden bridge which the Japanese call Rankan-bashi, or "Bracket Bridge." Such constructions are used over deep streams the beds and banks of which will not admit of piles being driven in. A series of logs is projected from the stone abutments, forming bracket-like arrangements which carry the ends of the principal cross-beams, thereby diminishing the span between the supports. The flooring consists of small chamfered logs laid crossways and fitted close together with their ends projecting. The balustrade is of neat and elegant proportions with end newels of simple design. The lower illustration shows some important features close to the dwelling, including the projecting gallery, called Nure-En, and a large date-shaped water-basin of granite which is used with a ladle from this gallery. The water-basin necessitates the sink or drain below, which is rendered artistic by an arrangement of fine boulders and rocks. Close by is placed a magnificent stone standard-lantern, sheltered by a handsome pine-tree trained so that some of its branches cross in front of the fire-box or head of the lantern. The skillful blending of architectural formality with the natural wildness of the garden is well displayed in this illustration.
