水差(みずさ)し

みずさし
noun
water jug; pitcher; water container for tea ceremony
foodculture
1. water jug; pitcher
A container for pouring water, typically a jug or pitcher used at the dining table.
水差(みずさ)しに水(みず)を入(い)れる。
To fill the pitcher with water.
テーブルの上(うえ)に水差(みずさ)しが置(お)いてある。
There is a water pitcher on the table.
ガラスの水差(みずさ)しにレモンを入(い)れて冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)に入(い)れた。
I put lemon in a glass pitcher and placed it in the refrigerator.
2. fresh water container for tea ceremony
A lidded ceramic vessel used in the Japanese tea ceremony to hold fresh water for replenishing the kettle and rinsing the tea bowl.
この水差(みずさ)しは江戸時代(えどじだい)のものだ。
This tea ceremony water container is from the Edo period.
茶室(ちゃしつ)に美(うつく)しい水差(みずさ)しが飾(かざ)られていた。
A beautiful water container was displayed in the tea room.
先生(せんせい)が水差(みずさ)しの蓋(ふた)を取(と)り、柄杓(ひしゃく)で水(みず)を汲(く)んだ。
The teacher removed the lid of the water container and scooped water with the ladle.

Compound of 水(みず) (water) and 差(さ)し (from 差(さ)す, to pour). In everyday use, it refers to a table pitcher. In tea ceremony (茶道(さどう)) contexts, it is a specific utensil — a lidded ceramic jar holding cold water used during the ceremony.

Common collocations

Cultural note

In 茶道(さどう), the 水差(みずさ)し is one of the key utensils. Its shape, material, and decoration are carefully chosen to match the season and the overall aesthetic of the tea gathering. Famous 水差(みずさ)し are highly prized art objects.

general
Added 2026.4.6 2:03 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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