Ever wonder how a temple earns its name? Kiyomizu-dera, or Pure Water Temple, derives its name from the very essence of its being. We are standing before Kiyomizu-dera now. This Buddhist temple is located in eastern Kyoto Japan.
Kiyomizu-dera’s story began in 778. Enchin Shonin a priest from Nara received a vision. The vision told him to build a temple near the Otowa spring.
Later in 798 Sakanoue Tamuramaro improved the site. He included a large hall. It was reassembled from Emperor Kammu’s palace.
Most of Kiyomizu-dera’s current buildings were built in 1633. Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu ordered the construction. Interestingly no nails were used in the entire structure. The name comes from the waterfall within. The waterfall flows from nearby hills. Kiyomizu means pure water.
Originally Kiyomizu-dera was part of the Hossō sect. This influential sect dated back to the Nara period. But in 1965 Kiyomizu-dera became independent. It is now the Kita-Hossō sect.
A famous Japanese saying is linked to Kiyomizu-dera. The expression to jump off the stage at Kiyomizu is like the English take the plunge. People believed that surviving a jump from the 13-meter stage would grant wishes. During the Edo period 234 jumps were recorded. About 85 percent of jumpers survived. The practice was banned in 1872.
The Jishu Shrine is also within the temple complex. It is dedicated to Ōkuninushi. He is a god of love and good matches. Two love stones sit 10 meters apart. Lonely visitors try to walk between them blindfolded. Reaching the other stone with eyes closed means true love is coming.
Kiyomizu-dera offers talismans incense and omikuji paper fortunes. Festivals are popular here especially New Year’s and Obon in summer. Booths sell traditional foods and souvenirs.
Kiyomizu-dera was a finalist for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. During restoration for the 2020 Olympics the temple was covered in scaffolding.
Kiyomizu-dera sits in the foothills of Mount Otowa. It is part of the Higashiyama range. The main hall has a large veranda. It is supported by tall pillars. This juts out over the hillside. It provides city views. Large verandas were built during the Edo period. They accommodated many pilgrims.
Below the main hall is the Otowa waterfall. Three water channels fall into a pond. Visitors drink the water. It is believed to grant wishes. There is also the Tainai Meguri. It is a dark tunnel. It represents the womb of Daizuiku Bosatsu.
The wooden stage is Kiyomizu-dera’s most famous feature. It is made of 168 pillars. The stage was built with interlocking wooden joints. No nails were used. The pillars are keyaki Japanese Zelkova. The floor is made of 410 cypress boards. It provides a beautiful view no matter the season.
The three-story pagoda is one of Japan’s tallest. It stands 31 meters high. The pagoda was rebuilt in 1633. Its original red color was restored. Look for the dragon on the southeastern corner. It protects the structure from fire.
The bell tower was built in 1596. Chrysanthemum flowers are carved above the fly brace. The bell is rung 108 times on New Year’s Eve. This symbolizes overcoming 108 earthly desires.
Sannenzaka shopping street is a great place for gifts. Shops sell sweets handicrafts and Kiyomizu pottery. The shops and Kiyomizu-dera have a mutually beneficial relationship. Shop owners volunteer time and donate to the temple.
The founding abbot Enchin dreamed of finding pure water. He met a hermit named Gyōdei Koji. The hermit gave him sacred wood. Enchin carved a Kannon statue.
General Sakanoue no Tamuramaro hunted deer here. He met Enchin. Tamuramaro became a follower of Kannon. He raised a hall to keep the statue. This hall became Kiyomizu-dera.
In 1994 Kiyomizu-dera became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto. Kiyomizu-dera is a place of history beauty and spirituality.