Chōzu: The Simple, Profound Act of Purification

After passing through the torii gate and walking along the sandō, every visitor to a Shinto shrine will encounter a 'chōzuya' or 'temizuya' (手水舎). This is a water pavilion, a font with a basin of clean, flowing water and bamboo ladles ('hishaku'), for the purpose of ritual purification. This act, called 'chōzu' or 'temizu', is not about physical hygiene; it is a vital symbolic ritual to cleanse oneself of the 'kegare' (impurity or pollution) of the outside world before approaching the sacred presence of the kami. In Shinto, purity ('kiyome') is paramount, and this simple act is the essential first step of any shrine visit.

The Steps of the Ritual

The chōzu ritual has a precise and elegant sequence of steps, designed to be performed with a single ladleful of water. Mastering this etiquette is a sign of respect and mindfulness.

1. Take the ladle in your right hand: Scoop a full ladle of fresh water from the basin.
2. Wash your left hand: Holding the ladle in your right hand, pour some of the water over your left hand to rinse it.
3. Wash your right hand: Transfer the ladle to your clean left hand and pour water over your right hand.
4. Rinse your mouth: Transfer the ladle back to your right hand. Pour a small amount of water into the cupped palm of your left hand. Take this water into your mouth to rinse it. Do this discreetly and never touch the ladle directly to your lips. Spit the water out gently on the ground beside the basin, not back into it.
5. Wash your left hand again: Pour a little more of the remaining water over your left hand, as it touched your mouth.
6. Cleanse the ladle: Finally, tilt the ladle vertically, allowing the remaining water to run down and cleanse the handle for the next person.
7. Return the ladle: Place the ladle back where you found it, face down.

This entire sequence is performed gracefully and without splashing. It is a meditative act that quiets the mind and prepares the spirit for prayer.

The Deeper Meaning of Purification

The chōzu ritual is a simplified form of 'misogi' (禊), the ancient practice of full-body purification by immersing oneself in a river, waterfall, or the ocean. The creator god Izanagi performed misogi after returning from the land of the dead, and during this cleansing, several important kami, including Amaterasu, were born. This myth establishes the fundamental link between purification and creation or renewal in Shinto.

By washing our hands, we symbolically cleanse the impurities gathered through our actions in the world. By rinsing our mouth, we cleanse the impurities gathered through our words. It is a physical reminder to leave behind the negativity, stress, and mundane concerns of daily life and to approach the kami with a clean heart and a sincere, pure spirit ('magokoro').

"With a single scoop of water, we wash away the dust of the world and prepare the soul to meet the divine."

The ritual of purification is a cornerstone of Shinto worship. The digital ritual you experience on our platform, with its steps of bowing and clapping, is inspired by this same spirit of mindful preparation. It is designed to create a moment of focus and reverence, transforming the act of typing a wish into a more profound, shrine-like experience, connecting you to the very heart of Shinto etiquette.