Brand new white glass Japanese
Shinto religious altar offering vessel. This particular style of vessel is called
mizuire and is used to hold fresh water. This type of container is a common feature of
kamidana (
zushi) household shrines which are the symbolic homes of deities traditionally revered by the Japanese. Altar pieces such as this may be made of wood, metal or ceramic and will occupy the foremost position in front of the
kamidana (please see the last photo below which shows a similar ceramic set in use with our office
kamidana). Tradition-minded Japanese may change the water in the
mizuire as often as twice a day at which point they also offer prayers to the resident god. Please read below to learn more about Japan's native religion,
Shinto.