Kyoto / East Aria Guide
From Kiyomizu Temple to Ginkakuji Temple in the north, the Rakuto area is home to many popular shrines and temples among the many sightseeing spots in Kyoto.
The Philosopher’s Path, which connects Nanzenji Temple to Ginkakuji Temple with its beautiful gardens that change with the seasons, and the Gion area, which still retains its traditional streetscape.
The Gion area, which still retains its old-fashioned townscape, allows first-time visitors to fully enjoy the “Kyoto-ness” of Kyoto.
清水寺 / Kiyomizudera
The temple is located in Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, and is the head temple of the Northern Hosso sect of Buddhism. The main deity is the eleven-faced thousand-armed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva.
The main hall of Kiyomizu Temple is famous for its “Kiyomizu-no-butai” (stage of Kiyomizu). Kiyomizu-no-butai is a wooden stage made of giant zelkova pillars, the longest being about 12 meters long, and constructed without using a single nail using the “kake-zukuri” method. Since the Heian period (794-1185), various performing arts such as gagaku, Noh, kyogen, kabuki, and sumo have been dedicated on this stage, and even today, dedication ceremonies are held on important occasions. Even though it is a stage, there are no seats, as the only spectator is the Kannon, the main deity of the temple. Instead, it was expanded during the Heian period (794-1185) to accommodate the ever-increasing number of worshippers, and became the size it is today. The route for visiting the temple is to first pray at the main hall and then go to the Kiyomizu-no-butai.
The main image: Standing Senju Kannon (Goddess of Mercy)
The statue of Senju Kannon, the principal image of Kiyomizu-dera Temple, is a secret statue that is opened only once every 33 years, but an omae-dachi-botoke, a copy of the principal image, is enshrined in front of the kitchen in the inner sanctuary.
さ ん じゅう さ ん げ ん ど う
三十三間堂 / Sanjyuusangendou
A temple of the Tendai sect located in Sanjusangendo Mawaricho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. The main deity is the Thousand-Armed Kannon. The official name of the building is Rengeoin Hondo. It is located in the enclave of Myohoin Temple, which is also located in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, and is owned and managed by Myohoin Temple.
平安神宮 / Heian Jinguu
Heian Jingu Shrine was built in 1895 to commemorate the 1,100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Kyoto, and was dedicated to the 50th Emperor Kammu, the patron god of the capital.
At the time, Kyoto was in a state of decline. The city was devastated by the war at the end of the Edo period, and the Meiji Restoration, which effectively moved the capital to Tokyo, dealt a heavy blow to the people’s hearts.
What saved Kyoto under such circumstances was the “passion” of its citizens for the reconstruction of Kyoto and the “love” for Kyoto felt by people all over Japan. Numerous reconstruction projects were developed, and a new Kyoto was sought in all aspects, including education, culture, industry, and daily life, while at the same time, efforts were made to maintain and carry on the good old Kyoto.
The Heian Jingu Shrine was built as a result of these efforts and a series of town revitalization projects.
Thank you for reading! ありがとう。 Namu Shinnyo ■
