Kyoto Japan | Kiyomizu Temple

Kiyomizu-dera 'Pure Water Temple'

The Kiyomizu-dera Shrine, built into the hillside of Mount Higashiyama, is a Buddhist Temple that began construction during the 8th year of Hoki, in 778 AD. Kiyomizu was founded by Enchin, who was a the 'great priest' under Emperor Kanmu Tenno (737 to 806) who moved the capital of Japan from Nara to Heian-kyo, or present-day Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera, or 'pure water' Shrine belongs to the Kita Hoso sect of the Buddhist faith. The Kiyomizu-dera complex is a popular pilgrimage site, consisting of 18 buildings and temples, spread out on several acres of hillside.

The main entrance for Kiyoumizu Shrine is through the Ro-mon 'Tower Gate' or Sai-mon 'West Gate, which offers a panoramic view of Kyoto. Adjacent to the Nioh-mon is the three-tiered Sanjunoto pagoda, and the Shoro bell-tower.

The Sanjunoto pagoda that contains a statue of Koyasu Kannon, a deity that is worshiped by pregnant women who pray for the healthy birth of their child.

Kiyomizu-dera's 'Hondo' Main Hall

The Hôndô, or 'main hall' of Kiyomizu-dera is a magnificent example of peg-and-groove construction, and the entire exterior of the all-wood structure has been left in its natural, unpainted state. As with many of the wooden temples in Japan, the Hondo , was destroyed by fire and reconstructed several times.

The present version of the Hondo was built in 1633 by Iemitsu, the third shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The Hôndô's structural design is an example of kakezukuri, or "overhang" architecture, and one of the unique features of the Hondo is the expansive decking, or butai that surrounds the hall on the downhill side.

This 'butai' veranda is known as the "Kiyomizu-dera stage," and folklore tells of "jumping from the butai of Kiyomizu-dera" as a "leap of faith," or an act of despair.

The Amidado, or 'Amida Buddha hall' was constructed by general Sakanoue no Tamuramaro during the 17th year of Enryaku in 778, when Kiyomizu-dera came under the official partronage of Emperor Kanmu Tenno.

Inside of the Amidado is a statue of the 'Eleven-Headed, Thousand-Armed Kannon,' who's image is revealed once every 33 years. The idol was carved by Enchin, from a log given to him by Gyoei.

The eastern side of the Kiyomizu temple complex contains the Joju-in Garden, which incorporates the shakkei, or "borrow scenery" from the early Edo Period.

Otowa No Taki 'Pure Water' Spring

Kiyomizu-dera's namesake of "pure water" or "limpid water" comes a small spring (Otowa no taki) that flows from the base of the Main hall, divided into three small streams of water. According to legend, the Otowa no taki spring-water has curative and purifying properties.

Traditionally, the three streams water symbolize the Buddha, Buddhist Law and the Priesthood, and the temple monks would perform 'takigyo' rites by standing under the 'purifying' stream of water. Today, pilgrims believe that drinking from the right waterfall makes one intelligent, the middle beautiful, and the left will bring longevity.

The Jishu-jinja is a Shinto Shrine is located behind the Hondo, and up a flight of stairs. Jishu-jinja is decidated to the kami (spirit) of 'love and good matches,' or Okuninushino-Mikoto.

In the courtyard of the Jishu-jinja are a pair of large holly stones called makura ishi ("blind stones"), or koiuranai no ishi ("stones which predict love") that sit 6 meters apart. If a loveless worshiper can walk from one stone to the other with their eyes closed, that person will find love, or a dating couple will soon wed.

Other temple buildings in the Kiyomizu-dera complex, surrounding the Main Hall are the Chinjudo, the Koyasudo Pagoda, Nio-mon or 'Gate of Deva Kings,' the Okunoin or 'innermost temple,' the Umatodome or 'hitching stables,' the Shoto or 'belfry,' and the Shakado or 'Shakyamuni hall.'

The Koyasu-no To pagoda is a small shrine that sits across the valley from Kiyomizu-dera. The 3-story shrine is dedicated to the prayer for easy childbirth, and provides an exceptional view of Kiyomizu-dera and the city beyond.

Although all of the structures at Kiyomizu-dera have been declared as "important Cultural Properties," the Hondo Main Hall has been declared as a "National treasure" by the Japanese government. The entire complex is also listed as a UNESCO 'World Heritage Site' in 1994.

Satellite Image & Map of Kiyomizudera Temple

World Heritage Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

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