Water in Japan

thumb|Night misogi under a waterfall at Tsubaki Grand Shrine

thumb|Participants in an uchimizu ceremony in New York City refers to the sprinkling of water in Japanese gardens and streets. It is more than a mere matter of hygiene and has, in temples and gardens, a ritual or contemplative purpose. In streets in summer, it serves to cool the immediate area, keep down dust, and also please neighbors. Japanese people see uchimizu as exemplifying national values as it combines utilitarian, aesthetic, courteous, and dutiful ends .