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Kyoto is situated on a gently-inclined plane, enclosed by a horseshoe-shaped perimeter of low mountains, open only on the south. From a climactic standpoint, it is far from ideal, for the surrounding mountains cut off the winds in summer, resulting in a high, constant humidity and act to preserve the penetrating cold which marks the long winter season. During the summer, when the humidity generally continues throughout the night, the climate is particularly enervating, a condition which has given rise to the practice of utilizing water in a variety of ways to mitigate the heat. Thus, networks of canals have been constructed in various parts of the city and it has been customary in Kyoto since ancient times to channel water from rivers and springs and direct its flow through gardens, close to dwellings. This practice, known as (yari-mizu (fashioned streams), creates an atmosphere of coolness by its sound, as well as actually relieving humidity through the presence of running water. |