2-728-330 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Ewer (Fusatsugata Suibyo), 1200s. Ewers of this particular shape developed in Japan for use in Esoteric Buddhist communities, and are called fusatsu-shaped water pitchers. Unlike the ewers commonly used in rituals celebrated before the Buddha, this type is used for the purifying of monks’ hands with water at the start of a Dharma assembly focused on the recitation of the monastic code of conduct, and repentance for transgressions.