The Tsukubai fountain is a traditional Japanese feature often found in tea gardens, serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose. Its purpose is to provide fresh water for guests to purify themselves before participating in a tea ceremony. Usually the fountain is accompanied by a basin and a ladle, promoting the act of washing hands and rinsing mouths as a symbolic gesture of cleansing and preparation. The aesthetic purpose is to provide rustic beauty and in modern times is often incorporated as a water feature for contemplative spaces.