noun
stone wash basin in a Japanese garden
A low stone basin used for ritual hand washing in traditional Japanese gardens, especially tea gardens (roji). Visitors crouch to use it, hence the name.
茶室の前に蹲が置かれている。
A tsukubai is placed in front of the tea room.
蹲で手を清める。
Purify your hands at the tsukubai.
A more general term for a stone water basin, not necessarily low or specifically for tea gardens.
From the verb 蹲う (つくばう, 'to crouch'), referring to the low height that requires one to crouch when using it.