
is a
Shinto
, also called Shintoism, is a religion originating in Japan. Classified as an East Asian religions, East Asian religion by Religious studies, scholars of religion, it is often regarded by its practitioners as Japan's indigenous religion and as ...
water ablution pavilion for a ceremonial
purification rite known as ''temizu'' or . The pavilion contains a large water-filled basin called a .
At shrines, these ''chōzubachi'' are used by a worshipper to wash their left hand, right hand, mouth and finally the handle of the water ladle to purify themselves before approaching the main
Shinto shrine
A Stuart D. B. Picken, 1994. p. xxiii is a structure whose main purpose is to house ("enshrine") one or more kami, , the deities of the Shinto religion.
The Also called the . is where a shrine's patron is or are enshrined.Iwanami Japanese dic ...
or . This symbolic purification is normal before worship and all manned shrines have this facility, as well as many Buddhist temples and some new religious houses of worship. The ''temizu-ya'' ("temizu-area") is usually an open area where clear water fills one or various stone basins. Dippers () are usually available to worshippers. In the 1990s, water for ''temizu'' at shrines was sometimes from domestic wells, and sometimes from the municipal supply.
Originally, this purification was done at a spring, stream or seashore and this is still considered the ideal. Worshippers at the Inner Shrine at
Ise still use this traditional way of ablution.
See also
* ''
Chōzubachi''
*
Glossary of Shinto
This is the glossary of Shinto, including major terms on the subject. Words followed by an asterisk (*) are illustrated by an image in one of the photo galleries.
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A
* – A red papier-mâché cow bobblehead toy; a kind of ''engimono ...
* ''
Harae
or ( or ) is the general term for ritual purification in Shinto. is one of four essential elements involved in a Shinto ceremony. The purpose is the purification of pollution or sins () and uncleanness ().(Norbeck, 1952) These concepts include ...
'', a term for all Shinto purification rituals, including ''temizu''
** ''
Misogi
is a Japanese Shinto practice of ritual purification by washing the entire body. Misogi is related to another Shinto purification ritual, ''harae''. Thus, both are collectively referred to as .
Background
Every year, many people take pilgrimag ...
'', a Shinto ritual of full-body purification
*
Ritual purification
Ritual purification is a ritual prescribed by a religion through which a person is considered to be freed of ''uncleanliness'', especially prior to the worship of a deity, and ritual purity is a state of ritual cleanliness. Ritual purification ...
* ''
Tsukubai
In Japan, a is a washbasin provided at the entrance to a holy place for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth. This type of ritual cleansing is the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony ...
'', a wash basin for visitors in Japanese Buddhist temples or ''
roji''
*
Ablution in Christianity
*
Wudhu
References
*
*
Further reading
*, and links therein
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chozuya
Shinto
Shinto architecture
Water and religion
Ritual purification