Getting to know: Temizuya

Welcome to the newbies. ( * * ) / This is the fourth in a series about getting to know a Shinto shrine. Our first step was a torii gate followed by shimenawa and shide. Please check the forum for other useful links. Like this one.

SO! We've entered the shrine precinct and need to purify ourselves. Naturally, we move to the nearby temizuya. You see the word te, hand and mizu, water, in the name, so know that the prescribed hand washing is to follow.

Just like the previous swap, I want to get you REALLY looking at temizuya. Go out on the web and search for temizuya. Find three examples to send to your partners, and of those three, explain to your partners which you like best and why. It doesn’t need to be an essay, just a simple, isn’t this gorgeous? is good enough, but more is better. Sincerity is key.

Bonus points in this round are: the way you wash your hands is left, right, left. Why?

Keep an eye on what appeals to you and why; which did you prefer, dragons or some other water-spewing beastie? Does size matter to you; color; location; something I didn’t think of? What is your ideal?

Immerse yourself, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This is your time.