1.
sprinkling water on the ground (to cool an area or settle dust)
The traditional practice of sprinkling water on streets, gardens, or entryways during hot weather. The evaporating water cools the surroundings and also keeps down dust. Common in summer and often associated with traditional shops, ryokan entrances, and tea ceremony preparation.
Compound of 打つ (to strike, here meaning to sprinkle) + 水 (water). Originally part of tea ceremony etiquette, the practice has expanded into a summertime tradition for shopkeepers and households.
Common collocations
- 打ち水をする: to sprinkle water
- 打ち水効果: cooling effect of sprinkled water
- 打ち水イベント: organized uchimizu event (often held in cities as a summer heat-reduction effort)
Cultural note
In the Edo period, 打ち水 also functioned as a polite greeting—a welcoming gesture toward arriving guests. The damp entryway signaled care and preparation.