The Rain on the Plain Falls Mainly Down the Chain

Every time I have ever seen a rain chain, I make a comment about it. I first saw one online and then one in person while visiting Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. In the years since then, I've encountered them in photos and in person and my affinity for them hasn't waned. They appeal to me because of their creativity and aesthetic beauty. They're much more attractive than my white metal downspout. I can't even see the rain coming down those.

According to Wikipedia, rain chains are quite popular in Japan where they had their origin hundreds of years ago. There they are called kusari doi and can be found on temples as well as homes. They are typically made of metal cups with a small opening in the bottom for water to flow through and in heavy rains the water will also spill over the sides and down the chain. Many are simple chains, often made of copper, which water flows down to the ground or to a collection vessel.

Early in December, I was Christmas shopping with our younger daughter and she blurted out how excited she was about her Christmas gift for me. She mentioned how proud she was that she had thought of it all on her own and when she talked with her sister about it, they agreed to go together and get whatever it was. She said I'd mentioned whatever it was before, and how I'd like to have one.

Hmmmm.......... Several things went through my mind, but when Christmas came and I opened my present, I never could have guessed that it would be a copper link rain chain with a bowl for collecting the water. They are usually costly enough that I wouldn't consider buying one for myself and now my girls had gifted one to me. Who says your kids don't pay attention to you?


Yesterday, the sun came out and the wind stopped blowing for a few hours, so Romie installed my new rain chain on the corner of the pool house. Appropriately, this is also the northwest corner of the Japanese Garden.

Installation was very easy, except that Jack was on the roof and immediately jumped to Romie's shoulder, as he usually does. He loves to ride there while Romie walks around the yard.


Once Jack had had enough of the high life, installation continued. Romie simply removed the elbow in the spouting and inserted the winged V-shaped hanger into the hole in the gutter. The downspout is still in place in this photo, but has since been removed.


We don't get that much rain during the winter here, but if we do and it freezes too much to the rain chain, I'll have to remove it so the weight of the ice on the chain doesn't damage the gutter. In time, the copper chain will age to a lovely green patina.