noun
pitcher; water jug; watering can
General container for pouring water, used in kitchens, dining, or gardening.
テーブルに水差しを置いてください。
Please put the water pitcher on the table.
庭の花に水差しで水をやる。
I water the garden flowers with a watering can.
noun
fresh water container (tea ceremony)
Only when written 水指 / 水指し
In tea ceremony, a lidded ceramic container holding fresh water used to replenish the kettle and rinse bowls. Usually written 水指.
茶道では、水指から柄杓で湯を汲みます。
In tea ceremony, you ladle hot water from the kettle using water from the mizusashi.
Rare variant for the tea ceremony utensil; 水指 is more standard.
Compound of 水 (mizu, 'water') and 差し (sashi, 'pouring' or 'serving', from verb 差す). The tea ceremony sense is a specialized extension.