hishaku

water dipper

Hishaku are generally made of bamboo and are used at Shinto shrines for purification. They are located in the temizuya, or purification pavilion. The proper way to wash is to hold the hishaku in the right hand and pour water over the left hand, then reverse hands. Then pour water into the left hand with the dipper and rinse out mouth. Do not spit the water back into the tsukubai but into the water outside of the basin. After you are done with this routine, fill the dipper again then with both hands lift cup of dipper skyward so that water cleanses cup and flows out over handle, cleaning that too.

Personal Communication, July 20, 2003
Chizuko Hiyo