Bonsai and Ritual Cleansing at Meiji Jingu

Bonsai are on display at Meiji Jingu.

I think the one in the front of the picture above may be very old.... maybe over 100 years old. I don't know this for sure. I didn't pay attention to the tag in front of it and I don't have a clear photo of it. I'm just going by someone else's photograph that looks like this bonsai.... which looks like many other bonsai.

Now onto the ritual cleansing, which you should have done before looking at the photos above.

How to do the Ritual Cleansing of Hands and Mouth:

Please rinse your hands and mouth before praying. Please set your mind at ease. Shifting the dipper from one hand to the other, rinse first your left, then right hand. Rinse your mouth with water poured into the palm of your left hand. Hold the dipper upright in both hands to rinse the handle with the remaining water. Return the dipper to its original position.

*Please refrain from drinking directly from the dipper.