Ritual Purification Building, Mitzuya, Toshogu Shrine 東照宮, Nikko, 日光, Tochigi 栃木県, Japan
Excerpt from the plaque:
Ritual Purification Building (Mizuya)
Donated in 1618 by the Nabeshima clan from Kyushu, the water basin is made of granite. Unusually, the pillars holding up the roof are also made of granite instead of wood; wooden pillars would be prone to rotting. The carvings of waves and of dragons with waves are typical examples of Momoyama period (1573-1603) carving and polychrome decoration.
Ritual Purification Building, Mitzuya, Toshogu Shrine 東照宮, Nikko, 日光, Tochigi 栃木県, Japan
Excerpt from the plaque:
Ritual Purification Building (Mizuya)
Donated in 1618 by the Nabeshima clan from Kyushu, the water basin is made of granite. Unusually, the pillars holding up the roof are also made of granite instead of wood; wooden pillars would be prone to rotting. The carvings of waves and of dragons with waves are typical examples of Momoyama period (1573-1603) carving and polychrome decoration.