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Top 10 Facts about Kiyomizu-Dera

Two buildings of the Kiyomizu-Dera temple at Kyoto. In the foreground: Sanjuno-to (three-storied pagoda); in the background: Kyo-do (hall of sutras).

Kiyomizu Dera is a Buddhist temple that is located in the Eastern region of Kyoto, Japan. It is a part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto.

It was founded in the year 773 AD. Kiyomizu-Dera’s present buildings were constructed in 1663 through the order of Tokugawa Lemitsu.

The most spectacular thing about this temple is that there is no single nail used in the construction of this building.

The name Kiyomizu dera was derived from the waterfall within the property which runs off from the nearby hills.

Kiyomizu means pure water or clean water. The temple complex comprises several shrines where various rituals and traditions take place.

The temple was built after the dream of a Hosso Buddhist monk who foresaw a golden river flowing down Mt Otowa above Kyoto.

It is believed the monk was inspired by a god who he met in the mountains. The present complex is not the originally founded temple as several fires brought it down and were redesigned over the years.

Let me take you through the ten facts about the Kiyomizu dera temple.

1. No Single Nail Used in Building Kiyomizu Dera

Kiyomizu-dera, formally Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera, is a Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.

This is one of the oldest temples in Japan built in 773 even though the construction was completed in 1663.

Interestingly there is no single nail used in the construction of the whole complex.

The architectural designs used in this period to construct it ensured that there was no single nail needed to hold the structure into place.

2. Kiyomizu Dera Boasts of Large Verandas

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto, Prefecture of Kyoto, Region of Kinki, Japan.

The complex was designed in a manner that was large and accommodates several people at one time.

The Kiyomizu dera main hall has large verandas which are supported by tall pillars. These verandas jut out over the hillside and offer visitors clear and impressive views of the city.

The main purpose of the large verandas was to accommodate a large number of pilgrims during the Edo period.

3. There Is a Waterfall With the Kiyomizu Dera

清水寺（2013年5月2日）.

The Kiyomizu dera is a unique temple that has beautiful sites that are impressive to visitors. Beneath the main hall of the Kiyomizu is a waterfall known as the Otowa Waterfall.

Otowa waterfall provides clean water which is where the name Kiyomizu was derived from. The waterfall has three channels of water that drains into a pond.

Visitors who frequent here always catch the water and drink it as they believe that it has the power to grant their wishes.

4. Practice of Taking a Plunge that was Later on Prohibited

During the Edo period, there was a Japanese tradition that which several people tried to get their wishes granted.

People used to make a 13-meter (43 foot) jump from the stage. There was a record of 234 jumps that were made during this period.

Only 85.4% of those who took the plunge survived while the rest lost their lives. This practice was later on prohibited by the year 1872.

5. The Temple Complex Consisted of Several Shrines

清水寺（2013年5月2日）.

Kiyomizu dera was built as a temple on its own. However, there are several other shrines within the temple.

The shrines within Kiyomizu dera include; the Jishu Shrine which is dedicated to a god of love and good matches.

This shrine possesses a pair of ‘love stones’ located 10 meters apart. Interestingly, lonely visitors walk through these stones with their eyes closed.

Success in crossing through these stones with eyes closed meant that the person will find love or their true love.

If one is assisted in crossing over, it meant that there will be a need for a go-between, as well as the person’s romantic interest can assist them.

6. Kiyomizu Dera also Offers Various Talismans, Incense and Paper Fortunes

The complex is usually thronged by several visitors during various seasons in the yearly calendar.

During New Year and Obon over the summer, the site becomes very popular because of what is being offered.

Additional booths fill the grounds selling traditional holiday foodstuffs and souvenirs.

7. The Complex Never Picked as One of the New Seven Wonders of the World

Kiyomizu Dera was picked among the twenty-one finalists for the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

The complex was picked to be among the greatest wonders of the world but was not picked as one of the seven winning sites.

8. It was Once Covered Entirely by Semi-Transparent Scaffolding

During the 2020 summer Tokyo Olympics multi-sports event in Japan, several preparations were made as major sites like Kiyomizu dera were to be used.

The planners of the Tokyo Olympics also used the Kiyomizu dera temple in some of their events.

In preparations, the complex was covered entirely by semi-transparent scaffolding as the major restoration works took place.

9. Kiyomizu-dera Temple Recently Hosted Contemporary Art Show

The complex has always been used as a World Heritage Site that has hosted various world activities.

The Artists Fair Kyoto recently held the fifth edition of the festival during the spring season (March 5^th to March 12^th 2022).

Some of the festival’s featured installations were displayed at the Kiyomizu dera temple.

The four main sections of the temple (West Gate, Three Storey Pagoda, Sutra Hall and Jojuin sub-temple) were used during this special event.

Some of the big-name artists who participated in this event include; Chiharu Shiota, Tatsuo Miyajima and Kohei Nawa.

10. Kiyomizu Dera Founded by a Hosso Buddhist Monk

According to a tradition in the Kyoto region, the Kiyomizu Dera temple was constructed by a special monk.

It was founded by a Hosso Buddhist monk that was named Enchin. However, Enchin was not present to witness the conclusion of the construction of the Kiyomizu Dera temple.

The construction of the temple was completed under the patronage of a noble warrior known as Sakanoue no Tamuramaro.

Several renovations have been made to the temple, but it still maintains its original model and architectural plan.

The Kiyomizu dera temple is rich in the history and culture of the Japanese that has been preserved for over one thousand years. Other than the beautiful culture, the Kiyomizu Dera temple also provides a beautiful view of the city.