KyushuCalanthe
Just call me Tom
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2008
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One of the most famous temples in Kyoto is Kiyomizu-dera, the pure water temple. It is very old, founded over 1000 years ago, but the buildings you see today are 376 years old. It was very busy the day we went.
The main entrance with the gatehouse and pagoda at the rear:
Some rooftops of lesser buildings and the mountain beyond:
There are two main halls with verandas, both suspended over the surrounding forest. Incredibly no nails were used in constructing these colossal structures. Here is the smaller of the two main halls.
And the larger hall and veranda. Until recently there was a practice of "taking the plunge off the stage" at this spot. The idea was that if you survived, you'd get a blessing. The majority of people survived the ordeal (a 42 foot drop!), but nowadays it is forbidden. Remarkably, such traditions still exist throughout Japan even today, and several people are killed each year.
The woodwork and elaborate painting was really beautiful on some of the buildings:
Here's a cool lantern:
Another tradition at this temple is drinking the water from a small waterfall, the same waterfall that gives this temple its name. It is divided into three separate spouts, each one giving the drinker a specific gift - wisdom, health, and long-life. I missed my shot and just had a beer.
The huge halls and verandas are supported by an amazing labyrinth of beams and pilings. Again, no nails were used, it is all traditional Japanese tongue and groove technology. Amazing! The flowers are Lycoris radiata.
We're almost done with the tour...just one restaurant and two temples to go!!!
The main entrance with the gatehouse and pagoda at the rear:
Some rooftops of lesser buildings and the mountain beyond:
There are two main halls with verandas, both suspended over the surrounding forest. Incredibly no nails were used in constructing these colossal structures. Here is the smaller of the two main halls.
And the larger hall and veranda. Until recently there was a practice of "taking the plunge off the stage" at this spot. The idea was that if you survived, you'd get a blessing. The majority of people survived the ordeal (a 42 foot drop!), but nowadays it is forbidden. Remarkably, such traditions still exist throughout Japan even today, and several people are killed each year.
The woodwork and elaborate painting was really beautiful on some of the buildings:
Here's a cool lantern:
Another tradition at this temple is drinking the water from a small waterfall, the same waterfall that gives this temple its name. It is divided into three separate spouts, each one giving the drinker a specific gift - wisdom, health, and long-life. I missed my shot and just had a beer.
The huge halls and verandas are supported by an amazing labyrinth of beams and pilings. Again, no nails were used, it is all traditional Japanese tongue and groove technology. Amazing! The flowers are Lycoris radiata.
We're almost done with the tour...just one restaurant and two temples to go!!!
