Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture is a synonym for Kyoto. Speaking of Kyoto? The more people who think “Kiyomizu-dera” in response to this question, the more representative tourist spots in Kyoto. There will be many people who have actually visited Kiyomizu-dera Temple, which is still one of the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto that is extremely popular not only in Japan but also overseas.
Kiyomizu Temple, also called “Seisuiji”, “Kiyomidera”, “Kita kannon”. SAKANOUE no Tamuramaro (military officer of the Heian period), who came to deer hunting in this area, is told that the training monk Enchin commanded the waste of life, and together with his wife made a “Senju Kannon” (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy with a 1000 arms) statue and built a temple to hold it. That is the beginning of Kiyomizu Temple.
Kiyomizu-dera, which became a certified temple in 810, will be under the control of Kofuku-ji for a long time. For this reason, there were many clashes with Gion Kanshin-in Temple and the surrounding temples and shrines that belonged to Hieizan Enryakuji, and there was also a battle between Koenji and Enryakuji. The main hall and other halls have been burnt down many times by war.
In 1633, Kiyomizu-dera Temple was rebuilt with the donation of Tokugawa Iemitsu. Many of the existing buildings at Kiyomizu Temple were rebuilt at this time.
The main hall is about 36 meters in front, about 30 meters on the side, and about 18 meters above sea level. The hall is divided into three, “gejin” (outer place of worship for public people), “naijin” (inner sanctuary), and “nainaijin” (the innermost sanctuary where the principal object stands), by a huge row of pillars. The building is a hip-roofed building showing an elegant curve. The roofs and eaves have features like a Heian period palace and aristocratic mansions.
The main hall is built on a cliff, and the south hanging out is called the stage, from which you can see the city of Kyoto. The main hall is a national treasure and an ema of an early modern trade ship such as “Sueyoshi Ship” or “Suminokura Ship” as an important cultural property.
Another stage structure that can be seen from the stage of the main hall is the Okunoin, also called “Oku no Senjudo Hall”, located right above the “Otowa Falls”, the origin of Kiyomizu Temple.
There are many other highlights at Kiyomizu Temple, such as Niomon Gate, Okunoin, and three-storied pagoda. When you visit Kiyomizu Temple, please take a look at them.

UNESCO World Heritage site, as part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto

“Kiyomizu-dera Temple” which represents a sightseeing spot of Kyoto.
This place that people visit from all the countries of the world is very famous as the proverbial phrase “do boldly as if you were jumping down from the Kiyomizu-no-Butai’ is a common saying used when people make a bold decision”.
It is said that it was built in 778. Present Kiyomizu-dera Temple was rebuilt in 1633 by Iemitsu Tokugawa.
In 1994, Kiyomizu-dera Temple was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, as part of the “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.”

Famous for not using the nail at all

Speaking of the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, “Kiyomizu-no-Butai” (the Stage of Kiyomizu-dera), after all. It is famous also for not using the nail at all, either.
The original size of the stage was to around this side of a cliff. It is said that there was the “Jishu-jinja Shrine” which is a chinju-sha shrine (Shinto shrine on Buddhist temple grounds dedicated to the tutelary deity of the area) of Kiyomizu-dera on the left side of it, and it extended to the direction of the cliff since it could not demolish.

Famous as a place of commemoration photography

The Nio-mon Gate (Gate of Deva) is the main gate of Kiyomizu-dera, and is Sakura-mon (Sakura Gate) of approximately 10 meters in width and of approximately 5 meters in depth, and of approximately 14 meters in height. It is also called the red gate which vermilion lacquer has been applied skillfully. Although it was burned down by the Onin War, but it was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century. In 2003 the Nio-mon was torn down and repaired and it is famous as a place of commemoration photography now.

Symbol of Kiyomizu-dera for many years

The triple tower is characterized by the gorgeous architectural beauty. The present tower was torn down and repaired with an old style in 1987. With total vermilion coating, the richly colored pattern indicating the Momoyama style is restored. The triple tower was proud of the greatest height in Japan, and has been loved as a symbol of Kiyomizu-dera for many years.

The tower and the buildings rises three-dimensionally

In Kiyomizu-dera, “the special viewing” is performed three times per year, in the spring, in the summer and in the autumn. By lighting of night, the tower and the buildings including the Hondo (the main hall of a Buddhist temple) of a national treasure rises three-dimensionally, so it becomes a solemn atmosphere furthermore. Especially, “the special viewing of the autumn night”, which is carried out during the period of from the middle of November to the beginning of December, is fantastic.

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