Fearsome Water Dragon ~ Around Japan

Here be dragons.

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But don't worry, Japanese dragons are good guys, unlike the more sinister Western variety. They are considered benevolent water gods. This one here had been sculpted with an almost puppy-dog eager-to-please expression.

This is the temizuya (手水舎) which is where one washes their hands before praying at a Shinto shrine. In the past visitors were also expected to wash their feet and rinse their mouth, but neither of those are so common these days. Most people stick with washing their hands only. Some older folks will also bow to the temizuya before and after washing to show respect. While that is the proper etiquette, it's also not common outside of more formal ceremonies.

Most statues at the temizuya at dragons, but you do occasionally see other animals. Also, at smaller shrines with less money to spend on statues, it will be just a simple faucet. But dragons are the most common.

He looks so eager to please, doesn't he?


Hi there! David LaSpina is an American photographer and translator lost in Japan, trying to capture the beauty of this country one photo at a time and searching for the perfect haiku.

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