The Chouzuya (手水舎)

Beside the approach to a shrine sits a water basin- in Japanese 水盤- provided with ladles (hishaku) for the performing of ritual ablutions, the purification of hands and mouth. The 手水舎 (also known as 水盤舎、or 水屋) is sometimes encirled by a sort of shimenawa with pendent shide to demarcate the sacred space and ward off evil spirits.