4th day kiyomizu - dera

taken from the other side of the main hall

Kiyomizu-dera (清水寺, Kiyomizu-dera) is a Tendai Buddhist temple in Eastern Kyoto. It takes its name from the waterfall within the complex, which runs off the nearby hills. Kiyomizu means clear water.Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺, Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera). what is interesting about this temple is Not one nail is used in the whole temple.

The main hall has a veranda, supported by tall pillars, that juts out over the hillside and offers impressive views of the city. The popular expression "to jump off the stage 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 a 13 m jump from the stage, one's wish would be granted. Two hundred and thirty-four jumps were recorded in the Edo period and, of those, 85.4% survived. The practice is now prohibited.

Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water drop into a pond. Visitors to the temple collect the water, which is believed to have therapeutic properties, from the waterfall. It is said that drinking the water of the three streams confers wisdom, health, and longevity. However, some Japanese believe that you must choose only two — if you are greedy and drink from all three, you invite misfortune upon yourself.

some of the pictures taken.

family pix at the main entrance

washing our hands before we head into the main hall

daddi and me at the Otawa waterfall

The temple complex includes several other shrines, among them the Jishu Shrine, dedicated to Ōkuninushi, a god of love and "good matches". Jishu Shrine possesses a pair of "love stones" placed 18 meters apart, which lonely visitors attempt to walk between with their eyes closed. Success in reaching the other stone, eyes closed, is taken as a presage that the pilgrim will find love. One can be assisted in the crossing, but this is taken to mean that an intermediary will be needed. The person's romantic interest can assist them as well.

these are from the street leading to the main gate

dun you agree that the little kimono would look great on me ?