1.
water jug; pitcher
A container for pouring water, typically a jug or pitcher used at the dining table.
水差しに水を入れる。
To fill the pitcher with water.
テーブルの上に水差しが置いてある。
There is a water pitcher on the table.
ガラスの水差しにレモンを入れて冷蔵庫に入れた。
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.
この水差しは江戸時代のものだ。
This tea ceremony water container is from the Edo period.
茶室に美しい水差しが飾られていた。
A beautiful water container was displayed in the tea room.
先生が水差しの蓋を取り、柄杓で水を汲んだ。
The teacher removed the lid of the water container and scooped water with the ladle.
Compound of 水 (water) and 差し (from 差す, to pour). In everyday use, it refers to a table pitcher. In tea ceremony (茶道) contexts, it is a specific utensil — a lidded ceramic jar holding cold water used during the ceremony.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 水差しに水を入れる: to fill a pitcher with water
- ガラスの水差し: glass pitcher
- 陶器の水差し: ceramic water jar
CULTURAL NOTE:
In 茶道, the 水差し 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 水差し are highly prized art objects.