Formal — to staff
Shrine · Temple
You
すみません、手水舎の正しい使い方を教えていただけますか？
すみません、ちょうずやのただしいつかいかたをおしえていただけますか？
Excuse me, could you please tell me the correct way to use the purification fountain?
Romaji: Sumimasen, chōzuya no tadashii tsukaikata o oshiete itadakemasu ka? / Reply Romaji: Hai, mazu migite de hishaku o tori, hidarite o kiyomemasu. Tsugi ni hidarite de hishaku o mochikae, migite o kiyomemasu. Saigo ni mata migite de mochi, hidarite ni mizu o uke, kuchi o karuku yusuide kudasai.
Reply
はい、まず右手で柄杓を取り、左手を清めます。次に左手で柄杓を持ち替え、右手を清めます。最後にまた右手で持ち、左手に水を受け、口を軽くゆすいでください。
はい、まずみぎてでひしゃくをとり、ひだりてをきよめます。つぎにひだりてでひしゃくをもちかえ、みぎてをきよめます。さいごにまたみぎてでもち、ひだりてにみずをうけ、くちをかるくゆすいでください。
Yes, first take the dipper with your right hand and purify your left hand. Next, switch the dipper to your left hand and purify your right hand. Finally, hold it again with your right hand, receive water in your left hand, and lightly rinse your mouth.
Gesture & etiquette
Mime the actions of purification (taking dipper, pouring on hands, rinsing mouth).
Do not drink directly from the dipper or pour water directly from it into your mouth. Do not touch the dipper to your mouth. Do not return the dipper upside down.