From behind the dragon... what a dangerous viewing location. Hope he doesn't catch you looking over his shoulder!
This was taken at my favorite shrine in Japan, a small local one called Shiratori Shrine (白鳥神 Shiratori Jinja). It's popular with the locals, but not with many others, so there is often no one here, which makes it very peaceful and nice.
Every shrine has this area, called the temizuya (手水舎) which is where visitors are suppose to wash their hands, mouth, and feet. In practice most people wear shoes outside these days so almost no one washes their feet, and many people don't rinse their mouth anymore, but everyone washes their hands.
Most temizuya are guarded by dragons. He doubles as a water spout; fresh water to fill the washing area will be pouring from his mouth. Some use other animals and some don't even bother with the animal and just have an undecorated water spout. Most shrines use dragons, though.
As you might imagine, there is a correct way to wash your hands at the temizuya. The steps are:
- Bow to the temizuya (you can think of it as bowing to the dragon).
- Take a ladle with your right hand and fill it with water.
- Pour some water over your left hand.
- Switch the ladle to your left hand and pour a little more over your right hand.
- Switch the ladle back to your right hand, then tip it up so that the remaining water washes the ladle handle.
- After putting the empty ladle back, bow again before leaving
Ok so only old folks bother with all that bowing these days, but it is the proper way to do things, so if you want to impress any Japanese person you are with at the shrine you know what to do.
Don't miss the other great photos in the Beautiful Japan photo series!
#1 - The Shogun's Keep
#2 - Gate to the Shogun's Shrine
#3 - The Golden Torii
#4 - Across the Universe
#5 - To Walk With You Under the Cherry Blossoms
#6 - I Once Knew This Place
#7 - Okazaki Tenmangu Shrine
#8 - The White Walls of Zui'nenji
#9 - Curious Kitsune Watches
#10 - Meeting Place of the Kitsune
#11 - What a Blur
Thank you for reading. :)
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I post one photo everyday, as well as some misc posts such as haiku, videos, more Japanese history, and so on. Let me know if there is anything about Japan you would like to know more about or would like to see.
David LaSpina is an American photographer lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time.