About this place

Kiyomizu-dera, which translates to "Pure Water Temple," is a Buddhist temple located in the eastern Higashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. It is situated on the slopes of Mount Otowa, part of the Higashiyama mountain range. The temple's name is derived from the Otowa Waterfall, whose waters run through the temple complex. It is one of Kyoto's most popular destinations and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994 as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto."

Historical Background

The temple was founded in 778, during the Heian period, even before Kyoto became the imperial capital. According to legend, a monk named Enchin had a vision that led him to the Otowa spring, where he established a hermitage. In 798, a prominent military leader, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, expanded the site and built a large hall. Throughout its history, the temple's buildings have been destroyed by fires on multiple occasions. The current complex of buildings dates primarily from reconstructions carried out between 1631 and 1633 under the order of the shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu. Originally affiliated with the Hossō sect of Buddhism, the temple established its own Kita-Hossō sect in 1965.

The Wooden Stage

The most famous feature of Kiyomizu-dera is its large wooden stage, which juts out from the main hall. This veranda is an impressive feat of traditional Japanese construction, built on the side of a steep cliff. It stands approximately 13 meters (43 feet) high and is supported by 139 massive keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) pillars. A remarkable aspect of its construction is that no nails were used; the entire structure is held together by interlocking wooden joints.

The stage was originally built to host performances of traditional music and dance dedicated to the temple's primary deity, Kannon, the goddess of mercy. It also provides panoramic views of the city of Kyoto and the surrounding landscape. The resilience of the structure is evident in its ability to withstand earthquakes. The stage is so well-known that it gave rise to a popular Japanese expression, "to jump off the stage of Kiyomizu," which is equivalent to the English phrase "to take the plunge," meaning to make a bold, decisive action.