Kiyomizu-dera

The name

The Pure Water Monastery predates the capital at Heian-kyō

Kiyomizu-dera, the Pure Water Monastery, is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. Along with Kōryū-ji and Kurama-dera, it is one of the few temples in Kyoto that predates the foundation of the capital to Heian-kyō.

The dream

A monk's dream in 778 led him to a golden stream

The origins are shrouded in legend. In 778 the monk Kenshin followed a dream to Mount Otowa, traced a golden stream and met the ascetic Gyōei Koji. Kenshin carved a statue of the Senjū Kannon from the sacred tree he left, and this is said to be the beginning of the temple.

The hunter

A hunter seeking deer blood left as a believer

In 780 Sakanoue no Tamuramaro entered the mountain to hunt a deer, seeking deer blood to help his wife, Takako, recover from her illness. Enchin persuaded him to change course. He converted to faith in Kannon and gave his own house as the main hall.

The stage

The main hall stands on tall pillars, with not a single nail

The main hall has a large veranda supported by tall pillars in the kakezukuri style, jutting out over the hillside. There is not a single nail in the entire structure. The current main hall was rebuilt in 1633 after a fire in 1629.

1633year the current main hall was rebuilt

The jump

In the Edo period, 234 jumps from the stage were recorded

To jump off the stage at Kiyomizu is the Japanese phrase for taking the plunge. An Edo-period tradition held that a wish would be granted to anyone who survived the 13-meter jump. Of the jumpers recorded, 85.4 per cent survived.

85.4 per centof recorded jumpers survived