Kiyomizy-+dera,+Kyoto

=Kiyomizy- dera, Kyoto= Kiyomizu sees itself as a cultural and political leader in the city of Kyoto. As such it has been the center of several controversies in recent years. In 1987 its one-hundred year old abbot led a struggle against the then Socialist mayor (Kyoto is probably the most left-wing of all Japanese urban centers), who proposed taxing the entrance fees charged by the various Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines in the city. Kiyomizu first changed the name of its entrance charge to a “donation” rather than a fee. Priests were stationed at the gateways to insure visitors donated at the same rate of the former “fee.” Ultimately, the temple lost. It then raised its fee from ¥100 to ¥300. Its next struggle was against the expansion and significant increase in height of Kyoto Station. They argued it would mar the traditional skyline worse that the accursed Kyoto Tower had already done. At one point Kiyomizu-dera refused entry to anyone connected with the station expansion project—Buddhist excommunication? You see who won that fight.

History/Legends: Like many ancient temples (this one dates from 788) there are miracle stories about its origin. See what you can learn about this story. Priest Enchin and Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro (758-811), the great warrior who was appointed the first //sei-i-tai-shogun// in 801 by Emperor Kammu are involved. What is the connection between the temple and easy childbirth? The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera exemplifies the basic characteristics of Jogan or Early Heian (794-894) temple architecture. What might those be? What is all the interest in the waterfall down below the main hall? Key buildings in the complex are the Main Hall, Okuno-in, Amida-do, Shaka-do, One-hundred Jizo pavilion, Pilgrim store, Jishu Shrine with its “Blind Stones” (//mekura-ishi//) in the shrine yard. The Todoroki-mon or Chu-mon (Middle Gate) houses Nio (Two Kings). The Sanju-no-to (Three-storied Pagoda) dates from 1633. It is said to be the tallest of its kind in Japan. The Sai-mon (West Gate) is constructed in the style favored by feudal lords from the time of Oda Nobunaga through much of the Tokuawa period. The style is usually identified as Momoyama by historians of architecture. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was probably the most influential arbiter of taste where this kind of architecture was concerned. Lastly, the Nio-mon (Two King’s Gate) which houses as you might suspect a pair of Nio. It also has two //koma-inu// (Korean dogs). What do the dogs and the Nio represent? =Photo Gallery=

One of Japan's most popular temples, **Kiyomizudera** (清水寺; also spelled Kiyomizu-dera; "Pure Water Temple") was founded in 780 AD and still functions as a temple associated with the Hosso sect of Japanese Buddhism.

History
Although Kiyomizudera was founded in 780 AD, the present temple complex was rebuilt in **1633** by the third Tokugawa shogun, Iemitsu. Kiyomizudera's architecture was subsequently imitated by other temples all over Japan and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

What to See
Kiyomizudera occupies an excellent location on a steep hill in eastern Kyoto. The quaint street leading up to the temple is lined with souvenir shops, restaurants and ryokan (Japanese-style inns). The temple grounds have open-air pavilions providing beer and noodles and countless hawkers offering talismans, incense, and //o-mikuji// (paper fortunes). The **main hall** of Kiyomizudera is dedicated to Kannon, the Buddhist goddess of compassion. It is notable for its vast veranda, supported by 139 wooden pillars (each 49 feet high), which juts out over the hillside and offers beautiful views of the city. The views and temple grounds are especially lovely during the spring and autumn. The expression "to jump off the porch at Kiyomizu" is the Japanese equivalent of the English expression "to take the plunge." This refers to an Edo period tradition that held that, if one were to **survive jumping** from the terrace, one's wish would be granted. 234 jumps were recorded in the Edo period and of those, 85.4% survived. Beneath the main hall is the //Otowa-no-taki// ("Sound of Feathers") **waterfall,** where three channels of water drop into a pond. Visitors to the temple collect the water from the falls in metal cups and drink it for health, longetivity, and wisdom, respectively. Traditionally, one should only choose two; being greedy and drinking from all three can bring misfortune. The temple complex contains several other shrines, notably **Jishu-jinja**, decidated to //Okuninushino-Mikoto//, a god of love and "good matches." Near the shrine are two rocks placed several meters apart - successfully walking from one rock to the other with your eyes closed means that you will find love. You can be assisted in the crossing, but this is taken to mean that an intermediary will be needed. Be prepared: the high popularity of the place means that tourists will find it difficult to take pictures on the main temple's platform.

Getting There
Kiyomizudera can be reached from Kyoto Station in about 15 minutes by bus. Take bus number 100 or 206 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka. From there it is a 10-15 minute uphill walk to the temple.

Quick Facts

 * **Site Information** ||
 * Names: || Kiyomizudera; Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera; Pure Water Temple ||
 * Location: || Kyoto, Kansai, Japan ||
 * Faith: || Buddhism ||
 * Denomination: || Hosso ||
 * Dedication: || Kannon ||
 * Categories: || [|Buddhist Temples]; Sacred Waters; [|World Heritage Sites] ||
 * Date: || Founded 780; present buildings date from 1633 ||
 * Status: || active ||
 * **Visitor Information** ||
 * Address: || 1-294 Kiyomizu Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, Japan ||
 * Coordinates: || 34.994958° N, 135.785047° E (view on Google Maps) ||
 * Lodging: || View hotels near this location ||
 * Phone: || 075/551-1234 ||
 * Website: || www.kiyomizudera.or.jp ||
 * Public transport: || Bus: 100, 202, 206, or 207 to Gojo-zaka (10 min walk) ||
 * Opening hours: || Daily 6am-6pm (until 6:30pm in summer); Jishu Shrine closes at 5pm ||
 * Cost: || ¥300 ||

//Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip. Last update: 10/05/2009//

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 * REFLECTIONS** for July 17, 2010- The **2010 Teacher Japan Tour** group did not get to visit this temple. Therefore, I do not have any reflections to share about this site. Instead of visiting Kiyomizy- dera, Kyoto, we went to the Gion Festival in Kyotol. This festival is a big to do in Japan. It is an annual affair that take place on July17.

The festival in Kyoto reminds me of the Mardi Gras, which takes place in the USA at the beginning of the Lenten season. A difference is that all the float use human power as a means of traveling the parade route. Souvenirs are thrown to the crowd as is done at the Mardi Gras parade. Onlookers get to sit in chairs in the 101 degree temperature in the midst of summer. The Mardi Gras celebration takes place in the spring when the temperature is much cooler.

This was a very unique experience. We had gotten a preview of the floats on the eve of the festival. The vending was exceptonal. We all got to buy food and other paraphanelia. The previewing was very enjoyable because the temperature was much cooler.