Place to cleanse your hands outside a temple Temizu てみず

cleanse your hands outside a temple  

temizu   てみず

The origin of the kanji for てみず temizu: hand – water:

With gratitude Akiko-san

Zenkoji Temple, Nagano

Hasedera Temple, Kamakura

Awaji Island in the Seto Inland Sea

Bunraku Puppetry

Shinto Ritual

Outside a Japanese shrine じんじゃのそと

てみず

The kanji on the stone reads SHINSEN (KOKORO ARAU) and it means Heart Cleanse; this is the place to cleanse one’s heart before facing the Divine.

おみくじ

えま

The picture on the charm refers to a daruma:

daruma

Whatever the original meaning of much of religious practices over the years tourists tended to have a different view and a different appreciation. What once was a more serious aspect of safe keeping often is now a mere souvenir trinket. This change is not only noticeable in Japan, but in many other countries as well. 

This is a comprehensive site on shrine visiting etiquette:

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/shrine-guide

Religion is an intensely personal and private view. The views and observations expressed here are intended as a general overview and in no way reflect the writer’s own personal views. The observations are merely from a cultural perspective.

Photos by S. Lowry, Japan

Daruma だるま

Daruma

A Daruma is a papier-mâché doll that serves as a kind of good luck charm. Because the body symbolises a samurai warrior without arms and legs (a by-product of fearless fighting), the commercial arm of religion encourages the idea for young people to be brave – this approach is no different from the man-in-a-red-suit calling “ho-ho-ho” to encourage kindness.

The idea of the Daruma doll is largely target-setting and completion. One paints one eye black at the start of an achievable, but difficult job (a big one obviously, like “getting the deposit for your first house together”). The second eye is painted black when the target has been reached, e.g. the new house. At that stage the doll is taken to the temple and ceremoniously burnt. Onto the next challenge!

Let the bonfire begin!

Daruma

Daruma

Daruma

Mum would make one, or an older sister would make one to encourage a younger child – examination results…

Daruma

Daruma

Daruma

Daruma

The store wants to be a hit with its customers.

Daruma

Daruma

Daruma

A specialist market stall takes the effort out of papier-mâché making for you – more energy for achieving that special target.

It’s always a good idea to have a few “targets” in the sewing box for when the children grow up.

Wow, a big ambition!

Big ambition, big Daruma.

Daruma

Daruma

The bonfire is mine! Mine alone! Yeah!

Daruma

Shōrinzan Daruma-ji, Takasaki

Takasaki is the Daruma City in Japan

Daruma

What’s your wish?

Daruma

Daruma

Kamakura Hase-dera 鎌倉 かまくら 長谷寺 はせでら Hase Temple

鎌倉の長谷寺

かまくらのはせでら

Long Valley Temple

Kamakura

  

For more information

Hase-dera Temple

Kyoto at night Kiyomizu-dera in spring, Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu Temple 清水寺 きよみずでら kiyomizudera

Kiyomizu Temple  清水寺　きよみずでら kiyomizu-dera

Temple お寺 おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

Temple  お寺　おてら

A temple is always Buddhist, while a shrine is Shinto.

Also check the connection with butsudan.

Here is a clearer break-down. The explanation is made up. However, our explanations are reasonably plausible. They will certainly help you remember the shape of each kanji.