Temizuya Chozubachi, Japanese Chozuya Water Ornament

A Chōzubachi (手水鉢) is a water ornament that is common in traditional Japanese gardens. It is used for ritual hand washing and cleaning the mouth before a person is allowed to participate in the tea ceremony or enter sacred grounds. The word Chōzubachi literally means "water bowl for the hands.".

A Temizuya (手水舎), also known as Chōzuya, is a small pavilion located near the entrance of a Japanese shrine, such as a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple. Temizuya can be translated as the hut with water for the hands. This perfectly describes its function. There is, in fact, a relatively large Chōzubachi where several people can use it simultaneously. The ritual washing of hands and cleaning of the mouth at a Temizuya is an important part of a respectful attitude towards the Japanese shrine that you wish to enter.

On the front are two characters that are read as Suisei (水清). This means clear water in Japanese.

Both sides also feature engraved text, not all of which is clearly legible. On the left side, a reference to the origin can be read: Nagoya City, Chikusa District, Suemoritori (名古屋市千種区末盛通).

On the right side, the age is confirmed with the year of engraving in the traditional Japanese calendar. Namely, Shōwa year 18 (昭和十八年), which is the same as 1943.