Kiyomizu dera Temple in Kyoto, enjoy the temple and the water

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-03-04

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Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, known as Heiankyo, is a must-see tourist destination in Japan with a long history of traditional culture and a variety of beautiful scenery. There are many temples, shrines, and shrines in Japan. So what exactly is the difference between these places with different names? According to the local and foreign, it can be divided into two categories: shrines and temples.

The shrine is a place where the Shinto religion of Japan worships the gods and holds various festivals. According to the rank of the gods it enshrines, it is divided into five different shrine names: Shinja, Daijingu, Jingu, Miya, and Taisha, and they can all be collectively called shrines in their own sense. The shrine is dedicated to Shinto gods, legendary figures, historical figures, and various folk gods that are popular in Japan.

The temple is a Buddhist building that originated in India and was later introduced to Japan through China, Korea, and Japan. It mainly worships gods such as Shakyamuni, Kannon Bodhisattva, and Jizo King Bodhisattva. In terms of construction features, the entrance to the shrine is built with a "torii" to separate the shrine from the world, and after bowing to the torii, you will go to the shrine through the approach, usually on both sides of the road, with the Shinto Road in the middle.

Before entering the shrine, you will wash your mouth and wash your hands at the "Tesuisha" before entering. There is a rattle bell and a money box in front of the shrine to worship, but you can't see what is enshrined inside.

The entrance of the temple is built with a "mountain gate", and the temple is equipped with a large bell and an incense burner. The temple enshrines a statue of Buddha, and prays "with folded hands without clapping".

There are more than 1,000 temples and shrines in Kyoto, and Kiyomizudera Temple is a must-visit place for visitors from Japan and abroad, and it is also one of the World Heritage Sites. The temple enshrines an eleven-faced statue of Kannon with a thousand hands, and it is said that it is only open to the public every year during the Obon Festival.

Kiyomizudera Temple, located on Mount Otowa in the eastern part of Kyoto, was founded in 778, long before Kyoto became the capital (Kyoto was founded in 794), and is the oldest temple in Kyoto. The temple is home to the Otowa Falls, the first of Japan's ten most famous springs, and the name Kiyomizudera derives from this. The spring is divided into three parts, representing longevity, health and wisdom, and many visitors take a sip.

The main buildings of Kiyomizudera Temple include the Niomon Gate, the three-storied pagoda, the Tamura Hall, the main hall, etc., and are representative of the architectural forms of the Heian period. The three-storied pagoda is painted vermilion and is about 31 meters high, making it the tallest wooden three-storied pagoda in Japan. The main hall is located on the cliff of Mt. Otowa, and has a peculiar shape.

The Shimizu stage of the main hall is about 12 meters above the ground and is supported by 39 huge beech columns. The overall visual effect is very shocking, reminiscent of the Hanging Temple in China. I lament that human beings have been creating architectural miracles.

Kiyomizu Temple has a bad fate, to the temple since the construction of the temple repeatedly suffered fire robbery, but repeatedly destroyed and built, and finally became the present landscape. There is a shopping street under the temple, Kiyomizuzaka, 230zaka, and there are a variety of small shops with Kyoto characteristics lined up along the street, such as Kiyomizu-yaki, lacquerware, Yatsuhashi sweets, Yuzen small items, and Kufu shops.

Kiyomizu-yaki is a traditional Japanese craft that draws on the strengths of others and comes in a variety of shapes, from daily necessities to decorative ornaments. Each product has its own unique personality style, and will not fall into a uniform cliché.

The Japanese are more fond of small animals such as frogs, owls, civets, rabbits, etc., so there are many items based on these animals, taking their homonyms and good meanings.

There are many Japanese girls who wear kimonos to visit Kyoto, which is similar to the momentum of Chinese Hanfu walking around the ancient city and ancient streets. Many foreigners also want to experience traditional Japanese culture and wear a kimono to better blend in with the quaint scenery.

The beauty of Kyoto is so beautiful that people who have been there once want to go a second time, and every visit is full of surprises. Kiyomizudera Temple is a must-see in Kyoto, and its reputation is well deserved. There are cherry blossoms in spring, maple in autumn, cool breeze in summer, and snow in winter. There is nothing idle in the world, and Qingshui is in good season.

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