{{short description|Traditional Japanese ritual washbasin}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Italic title|reason=:Category:Japanese words and phrases}}
[[Image:Tsukubai2.JPG|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|The ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tsukubai}}'' at Ryōan-ji temple in Kyoto]]
thumb|alt=Refer to caption|''{{Lang|ja-Latn|Tsukubai}}'' types: A) placed at the "edge of the sea" and B) placed in the "center of the sea"
In Japan, a {{nihongo|'''''tsukubai'''''|蹲踞}} is a washbasin provided at the entrance to a holy place for visitors to purify themselves by the ritual washing of hands and rinsing of the mouth.<ref name="MSIK">{{cite book | title=Must See in Kyoto | publisher=Japan Travel Bureau, Inc | year=1991 | location=Kyoto | pages=107 | isbn=4-533-00528-4}}</ref> This type of ritual cleansing is the custom for guests attending a tea ceremony<ref name="MSIK"/> or visiting the grounds of a Buddhist temple.<ref name="ZenKyoto133">{{cite book | title=Zen and Kyoto | publisher=Uniplan Co, Inc | author=Einarsen, John | year=2004 | location=Kyoto | pages=133 | isbn=4-89704-202-X}}</ref> The name originates from the verb ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tsukubau}}'', meaning "to crouch"<ref name="Setsuko">{{Cite book |title=Dictionary of Japanese Culture |last=Setsuko |first=Kojima |last2=Crane |first2=Gene A |date=1991 |publisher=Heian |isbn=0893463361 |edition= 1st American |location=Union City, CA |pages=369–70 |oclc=23738000}}</ref> or "to bow down", an act of humility.<ref name="ZenKyoto133"/> Guests attending a tea ceremony crouch and wash their hands in a ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tsukubai}}'' set in the tea garden (roji) before entering the tearoom.<ref name="Setsuko"/>
''{{Lang|ja-Latn|Tsukubai}}'' are usually of stone, and are often provided with a small ladle, ready for use.<ref name="Setsuko"/> A supply of water may be provided via a bamboo pipe<ref name="Setsuko"/> called a ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|kakei}}''.
The famous ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tsukubai}}'' shown here stands in the grounds of the Ryōan-ji temple in Kyoto, and was donated by the feudal lord Tokugawa Mitsukuni.<ref name="ZenKyoto90-91">{{cite book | title=Zen and Kyoto | publisher=Uniplan Co, Inc | author=Einarsen, John | year=2004 | location=Kyoto | pages=90–91 | isbn=4-89704-202-X}}</ref> The kanji written on the surface of the stone are without significance when read alone. If each is read in combination with {{lang|ja|口}} (kuchi), the shape of the central bowl, then the characters become {{lang|ja|吾, 唯, 足, 知}} which translates literally as "I only know plenty" ({{lang|ja|吾}} = ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|ware}}'' = I, {{lang|ja|唯}} = ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tada}}'' = only, {{lang|ja|足}} = ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|taru}}'' = plenty, {{lang|ja|知}} = ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|shiru}}'' = know).<ref name="stonelantern">{{cite web | url=http://www.stonelantern.ch/Frame_English/Zenibachi_English.htm | title=Tsukubai and Zenibachi, the Japanese Water Basins | accessdate=3 March 2016}}</ref> The underlying meaning, variously translated as "what one has is all one needs",<ref name="stonelantern"/> or "learn only to be content"<ref name="ZenKyoto90-91"/> reflects the basic anti-materialistic teachings of Buddhism.
==See also== *''{{Lang|ja-Latn|Suikinkutsu}}'', a musical cave to drain handwashing water *''Chōzuya'' (or ''{{Lang|ja-Latn|tsukubai}}''), a Shinto water ablution pavilion *Ritual purification
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Tsukubai}} *[https://najga.org/reference/tsukubai-design-construction2/ Tsukubai Design & Construction] - Tea instructor Elliot Mitchnick discusses the design and construction of the Tsukubai arrangement. {{in lang|en}} {{Japanese gardens}} Category:Chadō Category:Japanese style of gardening Category:Buddhist rituals Category:Water and religion Category:Ritual purification