A Chōzubachi (手水鉢) is an ornamental water basin found in the traditional Japanese garden. It is used for the ritual washing of the hands and rinsing of the mouth before a person is allowed to participate in the tea ceremony or before entering holy grounds such as Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines. The word Chōzubachi directly translates to: Water basin for the hands.
A Temizuya (手水舎), also called Chōzuya, is a small pavilion located at the entrance of a Japanese holy site like a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. Temizuya can be translated as: the hut with water for the hands. This describes its function perfectly. It namely features a large Chōzubachi which can be used by multiple people at the same time. The ritual washing of the hands and rinsing of the mouth at a Temizuya is an important part of respecting the holy grounds you are planning to enter.
The front features two characters that are read as Suisei (水清). This is Japanese for clear water.
Specifications
- Depth = 19.69 inch
- Width = 35.83 inch
- Height = 20.47 inch
- Origin: Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan
- Material: Shirakawa Stone (白川石)
- Age: Meiji Period
- Characteristics: Placement has to happen carefully as the bottom is not completely flat. Platform underneath the Chōzubachi is not included.