| What if you could take an ordinary, functional object | | | | collect water. |
| and transform it into a work of art? What if that | | | | They first gained wide attention in the US during the |
| object could add a peaceful, Feng Shui feeling to | | | | 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano and have quickly |
| your home? Meet the Japanese rain chain, an object | | | | become popular. |
| that can turn your rain gutters into a water sculpture. | | | | While rain chains are beautiful, they do not have quite |
| Rain chains are an alternative to the traditional gutter | | | | the utility of traditional downspouts. Since they are |
| downspout, which controls the flow of water from | | | | open, water can splash from the cups during heavy |
| your roof to the ground. Traditional downspouts are | | | | rain, which means you will want to hang the chains |
| a square tube running along the side or corner of | | | | away from exterior walls. |
| your house. A rain chain replaces that tube with a | | | | "People ask about the functionality of rain chains and |
| vertical chain running from your roof to the ground. | | | | whether they can handle a large volume of water," |
| Many rain chains feature cups strung along the chain. | | | | says Sock Woodruff of GutterSupply.com, "A good |
| With or without cups, the rain chain controls the flow | | | | rule of thumb in high rainfall areas is not to exceed |
| of water, keeping it away from your house, while | | | | more than 25 to 30 feet of gutter draining into one |
| giving the appearance of a waterfall. | | | | rain chain." |
| Rain chains can be a beautiful addition to your home, | | | | Rain chains also need an object at the bottom to act |
| creating a peaceful feeling. Many homeowners love | | | | as a splashblock for the falling water. The bottom |
| the sound made as water flows down their rain | | | | can be a metal or stone basin in the traditional |
| chains. The sound will vary based on the style of cup | | | | Japanese style, while many US homeowners use a |
| used. | | | | cedar box filled with pebbles. |
| Cups come in all imaginable styles, including pineapples, | | | | Though they can be made of just about any |
| Calla lily's and the traditional Japanese lotus (a symbol | | | | material, rain chains are usually made of copper or |
| of the royal family in Japan). | | | | brass. |
| The Japanese have used rain chains, known as | | | | Rain chains retail for $8 to $20 per linear foot, though |
| "kusari doi," for hundreds of years. Buddhist temples | | | | handcrafted versions may sell for as much as $50 |
| in Japan often feature elaborate rain chain designs, as | | | | per foot. That's more expensive that a traditional |
| do many homes. In the days before running water, | | | | downspout, but a good price for a piece of sculpture |
| rain chains were an important way for families to | | | | that beautifies your home. |