The Kiyomizu Dera Temple
Also known as the Clear Water Temple

Otowasan Kiyomizu-Dera was established over 1200 years ago at the end of the Nara period (ninth year of Hoki-era, 778 a.d.).

Enchin, a priest from Nara, was told in a vision to "Look for the clear water origin of the upper reaches of the Yodo river." In long search, he stumbled upon a place deep in the forest greenery where a mist, like a belt of white clouds, hung over a waterfall at the foot of Mt. Otowa. Here, Enchin received a log possessed by the spirit of Kannon Bosatsu (Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva) from an old man, called Gyoei, who was practicing Buddhist ascetic disciplines. Enchin had the log carved in teh likeness of Kannon and enshrined that image in a small thatched hut which was the beginning of Kiyomizu-dera.

During this period, the warrior Sakanoue Tamuramaro came to the mountain in search of a stag, for it was thought stag's blood would ease the delivery of his wife, who was about to give birth. Coming upon the source of the clear waters, he met Enchin who talked of the cruelty of killing living things. Shaken by the power of Enchin's words, Tamuramaro left the mountain mourning the death of the life he had taken to return to his wife. Telling his wife of the miraculous virtue of the clear waters, the teaching of Enchin and extolling the merit of Kannon Bosatsu, Tamuramato and his wife became devour worshippers of Kannon and underwrote the construction of a Buddhist sanctuary. Later, Enchin had images of Jizo-Bosatsu and Bishamon-Ten carved and enshrined on either side of Kannon.

Kiyomizu-dera takes its name from the clear, pure waterfall which originates from an unknown source deep within Mt. Otowa.

During the over 1200 years of its history, Kiyomizu-dera has been repeatedly burned or destroyed and always rebuilt. Most of the present temple structures were rebuilt in 1633 (Tenth year of Kanei-era in the early Edo period) and include the Main Hall, designated as a National Treasure, and 15 other structures designated as Important Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.

Nestled in the middle of Kyoto's Higashiyama mountains, Mt. Otowa has always been famous for its beautiful scenery and views of the city of Kyoto.

The main focus of worship is the image of the Eleven-faced, Thousand-armed Kannon bosatsu (Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion). Among the "Saikoku San-ju-san Sho"-a group of 33 temples in Western Japan all dedicated to Kannon, which form a pilgrimage route-Kiyomizu-dera in number sixteen.

The precincts of Kiyomizu-dera extend over an area of approximately 130,000 square meters.

This information was taken from the pamplet "Kiyomizu Dera Temple" published by Kiyomizu-Dera Temple Kiyomizu 1-Chrome, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto.