How to Read “清水の舞台から飛び降りる”
Kiyomizu no butai kara tobiおriru
Meaning of “清水の舞台から飛び降りる”
“From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down” means to make a serious resolution and take bold action.
This proverb expresses situations where one makes daring decisions at important junctures in life, fully aware of the risks involved. It doesn’t simply mean reckless behavior, but rather carries the meaning of taking a step forward with determination after thorough consideration.
It is used in situations such as changing jobs, starting one’s own business, getting married, making large purchases, or taking on new challenges – times when making decisions that will greatly impact one’s life. The reason this expression is used is because such decisions require considerable courage and resolve. It truly represents decisions made in situations where there’s no turning back, like jumping down from a high stage.
Even today, this proverb very accurately expresses feelings when facing life’s turning points with the mindset of “there’s no going back now” or “I just have to do it.”
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down” lies in the famous stage at Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto. The stage that extends from the main hall of Kiyomizu Temple is a wooden structure about 13 meters high, built as a magnificent construction without using a single nail.
Records remain showing that during the Edo period, people actually jumped from this stage in succession. People of that time believed that “if you pray to Kannon-sama of Kiyomizu and jump from the stage, if you don’t die your wish will come true, and if you die you will achieve enlightenment.” According to Edo period documents, there were 234 cases of jumping between 1694 and 1864, with a survival rate of about 85%.
Because this practice became so frequent, jumping was prohibited by Kyoto Prefecture in 1872 (Meiji 5). However, until then, for a long time, the Kiyomizu stage held special meaning as a symbolic place where people made major life-or-death decisions.
It is thought that due to this historical background, making serious resolutions and taking bold action came to be expressed as “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down.”
Interesting Facts
The stage of Kiyomizu Temple is still one of Kyoto’s premier tourist attractions, visited by about 5 million people annually, but it has actually been destroyed by fire and rebuilt many times in the past. The current stage was rebuilt in 1633 and has about 400 years of history.
The reason the survival rate of jumping incidents during the Edo period was as high as 85% is thought to be because the trees growing thickly below the stage served as a cushion. Even so, the height of 13 meters is equivalent to a current 4-story building, so there’s no doubt that considerable resolve was necessary.
Usage Examples
- With the feeling of “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down,” I decided to quit my company and become independent
- I proposed with the feeling of “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down,” and she said yes
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down” has come to be used in more diverse situations. Even now that the lifetime employment system has collapsed and job changes have become commonplace, considerable courage is still needed for major decisions.
Particularly in the information age, while there are countless options available, predicting the future has become difficult. As high-risk choices like entrepreneurship, becoming freelance, moving abroad, and career changes have become more accessible, the meaning of this proverb may have become even more important.
With the spread of social media, opportunities to see others’ success stories have increased, and many people in modern times feel “I want to take the plunge and try challenging myself too.” However, at the same time, the social impact of failure has also grown, so the weight of decisions remains the same as before, or perhaps even heavier.
Moreover, in modern times, even decisions that don’t involve physical danger often carry large economic and social risks, and situations requiring the kind of resolve like “jumping from the stage” have increased. This proverb continues to live on as words that express the mindset of modern people in such situations.
When AI Hears This
During the Edo period, jumping from the stage at Kiyomizu Temple was called “Kannon-tobi” and was considered a sacred act of prayer. People of that time believed that “if the Kannon of Kiyomizu accepts their wish, she will surely save their life.”
Looking at actual records, the stage height was approximately 13 meters—about the same as a modern four-story apartment building. Trees grew thickly below, and many people chose to jump in winter when snow had accumulated. Among 234 recorded jumps during the late Edo period, the mortality rate was about 15%. This means 85% of people survived.
What’s fascinating is the motivation behind these jumps. Contrary to the desperate mindset modern people might imagine, these were acts of hope for the future—prayers for “recovery from illness,” “business prosperity,” and “success in love.” For example, children wanting to cure their parents’ illnesses or merchants hoping for business success would jump to demonstrate their ultimate trust in Kannon.
Those who survived were respected by others as having been “saved by Kannon,” and their wishes were believed to come true. Even when someone died, they were thought to have been “called to Kannon’s side,” and this was never considered unfortunate.
The fact that this proverb, which today means “a life-or-death decision,” was actually a hope-filled act representing “absolute trust in the divine” during the Edo period tells us about how values change across different eras.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that there are “moments in life that cannot be decided by calculation alone.” No matter how much information we gather or how much we analyze risks, ultimately we need the courage to make decisions by following our hearts.
What’s important is that it’s not about reckless challenges, but about determined decisions made after thorough consideration. In modern society, we tend to suffer from information overload, but waiting for perfect answers can sometimes cause us to miss opportunities.
Surely moments will come in your life too when you must “From Kiyomizu temple stage jump down.” When that time comes, don’t be afraid – listen to the voice of your heart. It’s natural to fear failure, but the regret of not trying will surely be greater.
Life is once only. Things often don’t go according to plan, but perhaps that’s what makes it beautiful. Find your own “stage” and have the courage to take that step forward.
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