Fernanda van Grieken Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan

Fernanda van Grieken The Temple of Kiyomizu in Western Kyoto is one of the most impressive monuments in Japan. It is also a World Heritage Site and it was one of the candidates to be considered among the New Seven Wonders of the World.

The temple was built by a monk named Enchin, who had a vision of a source of clear water, and found the kiyomizu waterfall. Kiyomizu means “Pure water”, and the temple got its name from this waterfall, which is within the complex. The Temple was first finished in 798 and last re-built in 1633, since the original buildings were destroyed in a fire.

The most remarkable building is the Hon- do, a huge structure sitting on the hillside, supported by 15m wooden columns. The building has a protruding balcony overlooking the valley. The use of materials, the flowing spaces and the shape of the roofs favored the integration of the architecture to its surrounding nature.

Fernanda van Grieken In the Edo period, many people used to jump from the terrace of Hon-do, as an act of courage. With 234 recorded jumps, over 85% survived the fall on trees. Hence the Japanese proverb “Jump from the terrace of Kiyomizu dera” to refer to an act of glory and great courage.

Fernanda van Grieken Beneath the main hall is the Otowa waterfall, where three channels of water which drop into the pond. Visitors to the temple collect the water from the waterfall, which is believed to have therapeutic properties. It is said that drinking the water of the three streams confers wisdom, health, and longevity.

Fernanda van Grieken Jishu Jinja possesses a pair of “love stones” placed 18m apart. Lonely visitors attempt to walk between these stones with their eyes closed. Success in reaching the other stone, eyes closed, is taken as a presage that the pilgrim will find love.

Fernanda van Grieken There are many reasons why this temple is a wonderful place. It is therefore proposed as a candidate for the 7 wonders of the modern world. The reasons are: 1. Cultural value: travel to Kiyomizu temple is dated back to the past more than a thousand years in the history of Japan. 2. Aesthetic value: Kiyomizu temple is simply a beautiful place. The complex is a processional sequence of buildings in open spaces, offering several different panoramas of the city and nature.