Working Shishi-Odoshi Fountain

This is a recreation of the well known Japanese fountain called the Shishi-odoshi. It consists of a bamboo tube that is filled with water until it gets heavy enough to fall down and fill up again. I have always been entranced by this fountain and it's unique movement and sound. It makes a loud sound when it moves up and down and apparently that scares away any animals that might be invading nearby. This model doesn't make that sound, but it is functional.

There is a handle on the side and if you rotate it clockwise the tube moves up and down. I had to build the tube and its stand in real lego bricks to test this mechanism, and I can confirm that it does function smoothly. I have also included clear studs that you can drop down the top and into the tube and it will fall out into the pond. The pond has two water lilies and some bamboo and flowers are growing in the back. The base is fairly large but it's to accommodate the lifting arms and its size might even fit a motorized function with enough modifications. I hope that building, displaying, and operating this model will be almost as calming as the real thing!