Japan Travel Guide

Japan, exquisite in their customs, modern yet traditional. Preserved its true gems that dot the islands of remnants of the past. And one of them is the Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, with which we close the description of the 21 monuments nominees for the upcoming election of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The same tradition, their own culture invites us to introduce a bit in the history of Japan and go back to the eighth century, known as the Ancient and Kodai. At that time the capital was moved to Nara in 710.

Japan opened to cultural exchange, and the influences of the continent came to his new capital the country progressed, and began to collect the first historical chronicles. It centralized the government and the population census and land. But, however, the Fujiwara family found huge difficulties in controlling the country as small domains appeared intended to independence, called shoen.

Two competing religions: Buddhism and Confucianism, and result, he came across the country majestic temples. In the year 794, the Government decided to transfer the capital where today sits the city of Kyoto, to Heian Kyo, on a plain at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains. Kyoto for centuries maintained its hegemony as its capital and their palaces and temples were used by all emperors and shoguns.

Kyoto now has 14 temples and monasteries recognized as a World Heritage Site. Of these, the most prominent and visited is, without doubt, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Located on the mountainside, and over an embankment, the temple was built on wooden pillars, some with more than ten meters from the bottom of the ravine. But thanks to its privileged position, from the Temple is likely to dominate the entire city of Kyoto. The space in front of great extent, to a balcony overlooking red wood called Kiyomizu no Butai. There is a saying in Japan …

“Kiyomizu no kara tobi-oriru Butai” (Jump f rom the veranda of Kiyomizu)

when the Japanese want to refer to making a decision that involves a change in life. The temple was proposed to the Emperor Kammu, the first of the Heian period. It was built in honor of the goddess Kannon Bosatsu. Unfortunately, this temple, which emerged from the dream of a monk, has his Legend, was destroyed by a terrible fire in 1629, but later, four years later began rebuilding.

From the bowels of Kyoto, two narrow lanes remaining, Ninen-Zaka and Sanne-zaka (known popularly as “Pending two to three years” because it marks the Japanese tradition that whoever stumbles on them has two or three years of bad luck ) converge in the passage from Kiyomizu-zaka, from where we headed and the famous Temple. The first image we have of him is impressive: steps, stairs, spacious terraces woody, and superb color. Complex composed of twenty buildings, are worth visiting:

- The Gate of the Two Kings, raised on a porch, with traditional forms of Japanese temples, cypress ceilings and stairs which include images of two lions that protect the building dating from 1478.
- La Puerta del Este, in red and white and 1607.
- The Bell Tower, the year 1596, in red and gold.
- The Pagoda, next to the former, the highest in Japan with its three floors.
- The Hon-do, the most representative building and photographed the entire complex. Raised on 139 wooden columns, and leaning over the cliff with breathtaking views of the valley and Kyoto. Inside there are two sanctuaries: one made of wood outside, and an inner made of stone. The ceiling rises to 16 meters.
- And, of course, the Cascade of Feather Sound, that of the Legend to which we referred, and that led to the construction of this fabulous complex.

There are many traditions and superstitions that have accompanied this beautiful monument throughout its history.
- Some pregnant women, on one occasion he went to the temple and gave birth there. That girl years later became the Empress Kokkes. Since then, many women go there to give birth, looking for good luck.
- Drinking water of the streams that cascade say it gives longevity, but if you drink three, cause several years of bad luck, covet more than is due.
- There are two stones in the resort of those who say that if you walk with your eyes closed from one to the other endlessly repeating the name of the beloved and gets to the end without problems, the union will be very happy.

Currently, the Kiyomizu-dera Temple has been designated as a candidate for New Wonder of the World, along with other world famous monuments like the Taj Mahal, the Nabatean city of Petra, the Alhambra in Granada, the famous ruins of Stonehenge, the City of Timbouctú in Mali, the statues of Easter Island, Chichen Itza in Mexico, the pyramids of Giza in Cairo, the Great Wall of China, Machu Picchu in Peru, the Acropolis, the Colosseum in Rome, the Statue of New York Liberty, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Cathedral of St. Basil in Moscow, Neuchswastein Castle in Germany, the Sydney Opera House, Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, the temples of Angkor in Cambodia or Santa Sofia Istanbul

Tags: Japan, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kyoto, Temple in Japan