Tsukubai - Tsukubai

This refers to a style of temizu (water basin) that is used by squatting. The temizu (water basin) at the Isuzu River at Ise Shrine is also a type of temizu, and the "flowing temizu (water basin)" in front of the Shokin-tei teahouse at Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Imperial Villa) is an entirely similar device. Usually the water basin is placed low so that it cannot be used while standing. This temizu (water basin) developed in the tea ceremony gardens, where the temizu (water basin) is an essential facility. Using the temizu (water basin) while squatting is a humble gesture appropriate for the tea ceremony. The tea ceremony is a world of "transcending the world." Diving and tsukubai (water basins) are barriers that transcend the mundane. The host personally brings in the water, and guests draw it. It is the most solemn gesture for the guest, and is the first emotional connection between the host and the guest during the tea ceremony. Just as the ideal of the roji was the mountain scenery on the way to the Okuyama Temple, the tsukubai also sought to have a secluded atmosphere, like drawing spring water from a rock. For this reason, the tsukubai are often made of natural stone, but various types have also been used.

The typical style of a chozuya is to arrange a front stone in front of the water basin, a bucket stone and a candle stone on either side, and then form a stone arrangement of any shape desired. A water gate is made in the sea between the water basin and the front stone, and small round stones are placed inside. Usually, a lantern is placed beside the basin. Depending on the type and shape of the main stone, the basin can show various beauty in the stone arrangement, and plays an important role in the landscape of a garden or a roji.

[Masaaki Nakamura]

"Compilation of Japanese Gardens: Tsukubai and Hachimae" edited by Masao Nakamura and Fumitaka Nishizawa (1985, Shogakukan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

蹲(つくば)って使う手水(てみず)の形式をいう。伊勢(いせ)神宮の五十鈴(いすず)川で手水を使うのも一種の蹲踞で、桂(かつら)離宮松琴(しょうきん)亭茶室前の「流れの手水(ちょうず)」（桂離宮）もまったく共通したくふうである。通常は立ち使いのできないよう低く水鉢を据える。手水構えを不可欠の施設とした茶の湯の露地(ろじ)で、この蹲踞が発達した。蹲踞(そんきょ)して手水を使うことは、茶の湯にふさわしい謙譲の所作であったからである。茶の湯は「出世間(しゅっせけん)」の世界である。潜(くぐ)りや蹲踞は世俗を超えるための結界(けっかい)である。亭主が自ら運び入れた水を、客がくむ。客にとってもっとも厳粛な所作であり、茶事における主客の心の最初の触れ合いがある。露地が奥山寺へ通う山中の情景を理想としたように、蹲踞も岩清水をくむような幽邃(ゆうすい)な趣(おもむき)を求めた。そのため手水鉢には自然石を利用したものが多いが、また各種のものが用いられてきた。

　手水構えは、水鉢を中心に、前方に前石、左右に湯桶(ゆおけ)石、手燭(てしょく)石を配し、好みの形の石組(いわぐみ)を形成するのが通型である。水鉢と前石の間の海に水門をつくり小丸石を入れる。普通、蹲踞のかたわらに鉢明かりの灯籠(とうろう)を配する。蹲踞は、役石の種類、形状などによりさまざまな石組の造形美を表し、露地や庭の景観に重要な役割を演じる。

［中村昌生］

『中村昌生・西澤文隆監修『日本庭園集成　蹲踞と鉢前』（1985・小学館）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例