Great Sunset from Kiyomizu-dera

Ancient Buddhist Practice at the Sai-mon West Gate

Tomoko Kamishima Dec 30, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>Roof of Nio-mon Gate and Kyoto town seen from nearby Sai-mon Gate</p>

<p>Evening view through Sai-mon Gate</p>

<p>Details of the eaves of Sai-mon Gate</p>

<p>Looking down at Nio-mon Gate from Sai-mon Gate</p>

<p>After the sun set, it became chilly and cold</p>

<p>Sai-mon Gate and three-story pagoda</p>

<p>Kiyomizu-dera Temple is located on a hilltop</p>

One of the great sunsets in Kyoto can be seen from the Sai-mon West Gate of Kiyomizu-dera Temple. When I was there on a day late in December the sun was going down slowly, and the gate and famous three-story pagoda next to it were glowing a soft orange hue.

Overlooking this city of Kyoto which is laid out in a basin and surrounded by mountains, Sai-mon Gate used to be a sacred spot for a special Buddhist practice, wherein priests would watch the sun go down, embedding the perfect fiery round image (a symbol of a perfect life) in their minds. Although this gate was built in 1631, a gate has existed here since the late 12th Century.

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Tomoko Kamishima @tomoko.kamishima

Japan is a small island nation, but we have a huge number of surprising things to discover here. Many of these delights can be found when you step off the main street onto small side paths. I really enjoy studying about and researching various aspects of traditional Japanese culture, and then sha...