The chozubachi and tsukubai have had a time honoured place in Japanese gardens and tea gardens for centuries. Granite stone water basins or chozubachi originated in ancient shrines and temples for worshipers to wash their hands and mouth as a symbol of purification. The water basin originated as a chozubachi, were usually 16" or taller in height.
Japanese tea masters later redesigned the bowls for Japanese tea gardens to the height of 12" or shorter to create the tsukubai. The tsukubai or crouching bowl was designed to humble the guest and create the right state of mind in the Japanese tea garden before entering the tea house.
The above diagram shows a typical pumped installation.
Your piece of carving will arrive looking brand new, it does not look aged like some of the illustrations in the Showcase Gardens or elsewhere on this website. There are a few tricks to aging granite and these are in our Information Section
Ideal ground cover around Japanese ornaments.
The larger size is ideal for raked zen gardens as it is less likely to be moved by wind or rain.
Blends and complements our range of larger granite rocks and boulders
20kg polybag. The name is not descriptive of the type of stone or...
Our price: £8.56
Ideal ground cover around Japanese ornaments.
The larger 14mm size is ideal for raked zen gardens as it is less likely to be moved by wind or rain.
Blend 6 and 14mm together naturally and complement this with our range of larger granite rocks and boulders
Choose 6 or 14mm. The n...
Our price: £229.84
A distinctive square style basin with carved lattice patterns on all four sides. The original example of this "Chozubachi" can be found in the Ginkakuji temple in Kyoto.
Our price: £301.12
A tall solid carved granite water basin: Normally the "Natsume -bachi is sited near to the house.
300 x 350mm h 45kg
450 x 500mm h 200kg
Our price: £259.56
