Todaiji Temple: Ladle

JAPAN, Nara; Kamakura period

This bronze offering instrument from the 13th century is used to hold holy water. One of four ladles in Todaiji Temple, it is used during the Omizutori, or Water Ceremony during the Shuni-e Service, or Second-Month Service. During this service, the holy water is offered to the public using a ladle. It was listed as an Important Cultural Property in 1959.
Similar to a small round teapot with a flat base, the head of the ladle is 7.1 cm in diameter and 4.2 cm high. It is plain with a spout and a handle measuring 70.8 cm long. From the inscription on the ladle, it is known that it was created by a craftsman named Sen Amida Butsu in 1255, during the Kamakura period, for the Shuni-e Service.