“Pure water monastery?” Does that ring a bell? We are standing before the \u5143\u4e09\u5927\u5e2b\u9053\u5341\u4e03\u4e01\u76ee Stele. It is a silent witness to Kyoto’s long history.
The \u5143\u4e09\u5927\u5e2b\u9053\u5341\u4e03\u4e01\u76ee Stele connects us to the past. Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital from 794 A.D. until the mid-1800s. Kyoto is one of Japan’s oldest cities. It is often called the heart of the nation.
Kyoto took its modern form on April 1 1889. By 1932 its population exceeded one million. During World War II, the United States considered bombing Kyoto. Its large population might have influenced the Emperor’s surrender decision. Fortunately Kyoto was spared. As a result, it houses numerous prewar buildings and traditional homes.
Kyoto is in a valley within the Tamba highlands. Mountains surround it on three sides. This gives it hot summers and cold winters. The city has 2000 religious sites. These include 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines. There are also many gardens palaces and wooden structures.
Kyoto is a guardian of Japan’s cultural heritage. It has the largest concentration of designated Cultural Properties in the country. This shows its resilience against invasions and war. The 17 properties on the World Heritage Site list span from the 10th to the 19th century. They offer a vivid look at Japanese wooden architecture gardens and religious buildings.
For over a millennium Kyoto was the center of Japanese art and craftsmanship. Its well-preserved architecture shows the nation’s connection to its culture. The city becomes a visual spectacle each spring. Cherry blossoms adorn its landscape. By mid-November maple trees paint the scenery in red orange yellow and warm green.
In 1897 Japan passed the Ancient Shrines and Temples Preservation Law. This law aimed to protect important objects. It laid the foundation for preserving Kyoto’s treasures. Garden conservation became part of Japan’s preservation laws in 1965. This ensured the protection of its natural landscapes.
The Kiyomizu-dera temple is nearby. It was established in 778 by Enchin Shonin. He was a priest from Nara. He supposedly received a vision. The vision told him to build the temple next to the Otowa spring. In 798 the shogun Sakanoue Tamuramaro improved the site. He added a large hall from Emperor Kammu’s palace.
Many of the temple’s present buildings were built in 1633. This was ordered by the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. No nails were used in the entire structure. The temple gets its name from the waterfall within the complex. Kiyomizu means pure water.
The expression to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu is like the English expression to take the plunge. In the Edo period people believed that if you survived a jump from the 13-meter stage your wish would be granted. The practice was banned in 1872.
So, as we stand here before the \u5143\u4e09\u5927\u5e2b\u9053\u5341\u4e03\u4e01\u76ee Stele remember Kyoto’s story. It is a story of resilience culture and beauty. It is a story etched in stone and alive in the heart of Japan.