THE GIST OF THIS ARTICLE
- Page 1 Introduction, History Renovation Deities
- Page 2 Main hall, Stage
- Page 3 Umatodome, Komainus, Niomon Gate, Saimon Gate
- Page 4 Tiger in lantern, Sho Roh and bell, Zuigu Doh temple, Kagekiyo Tsumegata Kannon
- Page 5 Pagoda, Kyo Doh, Tamra Doh, Todoroki Mon gate
- Page 6 Asakura Doh, Bussoku Seki, Iron canes and sandals, Scars of Benkei
- Page 7 Jishu shrine, Shaka Doh, Amida Doh, Oku no In, Koyasu pagoda
- Page 8 Access to Kiyomizudera
The following is the contents of this article.
The Main Hall 御本殿
御本堂
As I mentioned before, the main hall was constructed in 1633. The width is about 40 yd, the depth is about 33 yd, and the area is about 1,200 yd2
The main hall consists of Raido, Naijin, and Nainaijin. Only Nainaijin is on the edge of the cliff. Raido, Naijin, and the stage has pillars standing on the ground. This is called Kakezukuri.
Take a look at this photo. Between 1 and 2 is the corridor. From 2 to 4 is Raido. 4 and invisible 5 is Naijin. Behind Naijin, there is Nainaijin.
We cannot be in Nainaijin except Sennichi Mairi.
I suspect Nainaijin is on a place where Enchin build a hut for Kannon in the 8th century.
The roof consists of the layer of Kinoki barks. Hinoki is a popular wood for house building. It contains oil. It protects roof form water and worm. These barks were replaced in the renovation of Heisei. The layers are stuck to the frame with bamboo nails. The roof is about 1,200 yd2.
The stage of Kiyomizu 清水の舞台
The iconic stage of Kiyomizudera temple. It is a place where performances to be practiced for Kannon. Between the stage, there are 2 places with an independent roof. They are called Noh Dai where musicians to be placed.
The line indicated with white is a floor of Nainaijin, the most important place where Kannnon and other Deities are enshrined. The black line is a floor of Naijin. Nainaijin and Naijin consists of the Seido in the main hall and are on the edge of the cliff. The blue line is a floor of the Raido. We can be there usually with shoes off. The red one is a corridor and the green one is the stage.
When was the stage constructed? The oldest record is Naricmichikyo Kuden Nikki (『成通卿口伝日記』), a memoir of an aristocrat in the 12 the century. He was a Kemari master and boasted that his Kemari ball juggling on the fence of the stage.
The stage is around 227 sq yds. Around 19 yd in length and 10 yd in width. The floor is made of the boards of Hinoki cypress.
The pillars are made of Japanese zelkova. The largest one of them is around 2.3 ft in diameter and 40 ft in length.
The thickest pillars are made of the trees over 400 years old.
Japanese zelkova can work twice of its age as a pillar. The stage was build in 1633. In 2023, it was 389 years ago. the pillars will work around 800 years.
In a nutshell, we have 400 years to go.
In 2000, around 3,000 Japanese zelkova trees were planted.
Some 400 years later, they will be the pillars of the stage that work over 800 years!
The pillars were repaird in 2013. The decayed foot of the pillars were replaced. It is called Netsugi (根継) method.
The pillars are settled on the stones, not stuck in the ground. The pillars of the Japanese shrines and temples are just on the ground to prepare for earthquakes.
Nukis 貫（ぬき）
Each of the pillars are liked with Nukis.
The Nukis are stuck in the pillars. They are fixed with only wooden wedges as indicated as the arrow 1 and 2 because nails rust away. Nukis have “roofs” as indicated as the arrow 3.
The valley is considered as Fudaraku Jodo (補陀落浄土), the paradise belongs to Kannon.
In Japanese, When we do something with determination, we say “Jump off of the stage of Kiyomizudera.” It is based on some custom practiced on the stage.
In Edo period, people jump off from the stage to make their wishes come true. If they are still alive on the ground, Kannnon helps to make their wishes come true. If failed, she brings them to Fudaraku Jodo. Before jumping off, they visit the temple everyday to pray for Kannon.
Check this out!
