# Hishaku

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A ***hishaku*** (柄杓) is a [tool](/source/Tool) for scooping [water](/source/Water) or soup native to Japan. It has a vessel shape with a handle.

## Overview

*Hishaku* are generally made of curved objects with handles. In ancient times, they were made of [gourd](/source/Calabash).[1]

Originally, the name "hishaku" was derived from "hisako," which refers to the [bottle gourd](/source/Calabash) used since ancient times for scooping water, which became "hisaku," then "hishaku," and then the [*kanji*](/source/Kanji) were chosen by [folk etymology](/source/Folk_etymology). It is also written with the single *kanji* [斗](https://ja.wiktionary.org/wiki/斗).

At *[chōzuya](/source/Ch%C5%8Dzuya)* (place for washing hands and rinsing mouths to purify body and soul), *hishaku* are made of wood or [bambuseaes](/source/Bambuseae), but there are many different sizes and materials depending on the use and purpose, and some are made of metal or plastic.

The *hishaku* used for [tea ceremony](/source/Japanese_tea_ceremony) is different in size and length from the general *hishaku*.[2]

## In culture

- When a [Funayūrei](/source/Funay%C5%ABrei) appears, it is said that one be saved by handing it a *hishaku* with a loose bottom.
- A *hishaku* with a loose bottom is also used for praying for easy childbirth. It is said to mean that the baby will be born as easily as the water drains away.
- [Izumo-taisha](/source/Izumo-taisha) uses a *hishaku* made of raw gourd cut into a semicircle with a hemp handle for the offering of sacred water at the Tsume-peeling Festival. This is said to be related to the spiritual power of gourd and hemp.[3]

## See also

- [Shinto shrine](/source/Shinto_shrine)
- [Chōzuya](/source/Ch%C5%8Dzuya)
- [Tabo (hygiene)](/source/Tabo_(hygiene))

## References

1. ["さまざまな道具"](http://www.city.nara.lg.jp/www/contents/1227078972143/files/dougu.pdf). 奈良市. Retrieved 2019-12-01.

1. ["おでかけ前にチェック!基本の作法・マナー"](https://www.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/muse/jourei/documents/manner2019.pdf). [石川県](/source/%E7%9F%B3%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C). Retrieved 2019-09-04.

1. 『出雲大社教布教師養成講習会』発行出雲大社教教務本庁平成元年9月全427頁中319頁

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hishaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hishaku) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hishaku?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.