Pregnant with anticipation? Perhaps you have come to the right place. Right here before us stands the Easy Child-birth Pagoda. It promises safe delivery to those who visit it.
Koyasu means “an easy childbirth”. This three-storied pagoda is part of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Kiyomizu-dera is one of Japan’s most famous Buddhist temples. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Legend says that pregnant women will have an easy childbirth if they climb to the pagoda. The Easy Child-birth Pagoda is located up the hill. It stands quite far from Kiyomizu-dera’s main hall.
The red-colored pagoda belongs to the Taisanji Temple. It was rebuilt around the year 1500. Koyasu Pagoda was moved to its current location in 1911. The second three-storied pagoda was built in 1633. It is dedicated to Koyasu Kannon. She is a goddess granting safe childbirth.
Kiyomizu-dera was founded in 778. It has been destroyed many times by fire and earthquakes. The current buildings were constructed between 1631 and 1633. This was by order of shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Kiyomizu-dera was linked to the old Hosso sect. In 1965, priests formed the Kita Hosso sect. Since 1994, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temple complex covers over 130,000 square meters. It includes the Okunoin Hall and Jishu Shrine. Jishu Shrine is dedicated to Okuninushi. He is a god of love and good matches.
Kiyomizu-dera’s main hall is famous for its wooden veranda. It is a must-see in Kyoto. The hall was rebuilt in 1633. Renovation of the roof took from 2017 to 2020. The structure was built without a single nail. The veranda covers 190 square meters. It is made of 410 hinoki boards. These are Japanese cypress. It was built on eighteen 400-year-old wooden pillars. These zelkova trees reach 13 meters. The Hondo houses a small statue. It is of the eleven-faced and thousand-armed Kannon. Kannon is the Bodhisattva of mercy.
The Okunoin Hall is similar to the main hall. It is on a smaller scale. The building is above the Otowa waterfall. It includes a veranda supported by pillars. It can get crowded. There is an amazing view over Kyoto from up there. The hall is dedicated to the Shaka and the Amida Buddha.
The Zuigudo Hall was rebuilt in 1718. It is dedicated to the mother of Buddha. Zuigudo contains a stone with the word womb on it. You must circle the stone and make a wish. Daizuigu Bosatsu will take care of it. Before reaching the stone, you walk through a dark corridor. It symbolizes the womb of a female Bodhisattva.
The Nio-mon gate is guarded by two Deva statues. It has the status of an important cultural property. It was renovated in 2003. Nio-mon is an impressive structure. It is 14 meters high, 10 meters wide, and 5 meters deep.
So, as you stand before the Easy Child-birth Pagoda, consider its history. Think of the countless hopes and prayers offered here. May your visit bring you good fortune. May it bring you peace of mind.