Temizuya (Chozuya)
Architecture手水舎 ・ Reading: てみずや
Definition
The temizuya is a water pavilion near the entrance of a shrine or temple where visitors purify their hands and mouth before praying. It holds a basin (chozubachi) with ladles.
What it is for
Before you approach the main hall to pray, you rinse away the dust of the outside world at the temizuya. It is a small open pavilion, usually near the entrance, sheltering a stone or metal basin kept constantly filled with clean water. Wooden or metal ladles rest across the rim for you to use.
How to purify yourself
The custom is quick and worth learning. Take a ladle in your right hand and rinse your left, then swap hands and rinse your right. Pour a little water into your cupped left hand to rinse your mouth quietly, spitting the water out low to the side rather than back into the basin, and never touching your lips to the ladle itself. Rinse the left hand once more, then tip the ladle upright so the last of the water runs down the handle to clean it for the next person. One scoop should be enough for all of this.
What to look for
Many basins are fed by a dragon-shaped spout, since the dragon is regarded as a guardian of water. In recent years a number of shrines have removed the shared ladles or floated flowers in the water for hygiene, and some of these floral displays, known as hanachozu, have stayed on as a seasonal delight that changes through the year.
Common questions
- What is a temizuya used for?
A temizuya is a water pavilion at a shrine or temple where you purify your hands and mouth before praying. Rinsing at the temizuya is a symbolic way of cleansing yourself before you approach the kami or the Buddha.
- How do you use a temizuya correctly?
At a temizuya, take a ladle in your right hand and rinse your left hand, then switch and rinse your right. Pour water into your left hand to rinse your mouth, rinse the left hand again, and finally tip the ladle up to clean the handle, doing all of it with a single scoop of water.
- Should you drink the water at a temizuya?
No, the water at a temizuya is not for drinking. You only rinse your mouth lightly and spit the water out low to the side, and you should never touch your lips directly to the ladle.
Related articles
- How to Visit a Shinto ShrineMaster Shinto shrine etiquette: torii bow, temizuya cleansing, walk aside, offer coin, ring bell, 2 bows 2 claps 1 bow, avoid faux pas.
- The Water Purification RitualLearn temizu: the single-ladle ritual before shrines and temples, with steps, meaning, etiquette, modern updates, and where to try it.