Water Dragon

Visit Japan: Kiyomizudera, Japan

Do you know why there is a wash basin at temples?
なぜ手洗い場はお寺にあるか知っていますか。
naze tearaiba ha otera ni aru ka shitteimasu ka.

How to say in Japanese: Wash

Before entering the temple, you have to 洗う arau wash your hands and mouth. It is said that Izanami, the deity that gave birth to Japan, 洗った aratta washed herself in the river after brought back to life from the underworld which was thought as a dirty place. For that reason, Japanese people 洗う arau wash their hands and mouth before entering temples.

For details, learn why Japanese wash their hands and mouth before entering temples.