Ritual Wash Basin (Ashitsuki-darai)
Not on view
Vessels coated in red over black lacquer, called Negoro wares, were produced largely for Buddhist and Shinto use. They demonstrate simple, sturdy constructions, as in this example with a round body and three curved legs. Buddhist monks would wash their hands in basins like this during a monthly purification ritual (fusatsue) in which they performed self-examination and renewed their vows. Gradually, the outermost red lacquer would become worn, exposing the black underlayer.
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