Description
Brand new white glass
Japanese Shinto (native religion of Japan) religious altar offering vessel.
This particular style of vessel is called mizuire and is used to hold
fresh water. This type of container is a common feature of kamidana
(zushi) household shrines which are the symbolic homes of deities
traditionally revered by the Japanese. Altar pieces such as this may be
made of wood, metal or ceramic and will occupy
the foremost position in front of the kamidana (please see the last photo
below which shows a similar ceramic set in use with our office kamidana).
Tradition-minded Japanese may change the water in the mizuire as
often as twice a day at which point they also offer prayers to the resident god.
Please read below to learn more about Japan's native religion, Shinto.
Size:
Height (including lid): 2.7 inches (7.0 centimeters)
Diameter (at widest point of body): 2.0 inches (5.0 centimeters)
Weight: 2.9 ounces (82 grams)
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More about the Shinto religion
Shinto
is one of the two major religions of Japan (the other is Buddhism). Shinto
is often considered to be the native religion
of Japan, and is as old as Japan itself. The name Shinto means "the way
of the gods." Shinto is a pantheistic religion, in which many thousands
of major and minor gods are thought to exist. The Japanese have built
thousands
of shrines (jinja) throughout the country to honor and worship these gods. Some shrines
are huge and are devoted to important deities. Other shrines are small and may
be easily missed when strolling along roads in the countryside.
Shinto gods are called kami. Kami are thought to have
influence on human affairs, and for this reason many Japanese make regular
pilgrimage to community shrines in order to offer prayers to local kami.
The act of prayer involves approaching the shrine structure, passing through the
gate-like torii, cleansing the hands and mouth
with water and possibly ascending stairs to the main entrance of the shrine.
Usually without entering the shrine the worshipper will throw some coins into a
stone or wooden collection box and then rattle the suzu bell which is at
the top of a long hemp rope. The worshiper grabs hold of the rope and shakes it
back and forth causing the copper bell at the top to rattle. This is thought to
get the attention of the shrine god. The worshipper then bows twice, claps his
or her hands twice and then bows again. In addition, the worshipper may clasp
their hands together in silent prayer. Shintoism and Buddhism have managed to
find a comfortable coexistence in Japan. Evidence of this harmonious relationship is
found in the fact that that most Japanese are married in a Shinto shrine,
but buried by a Buddhist priest.
More photos below!
item code: INV-0000075_01
ship code: L1650
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