Both exquisite wood carvings and the towering wooden buildings, regardless of their sizes, can show the carpenters’ ultimate craftsmanship. It may be easy for you to encounter the former in daily life, while the latter is one of the world’s rarest. Kiyomizu-Dera is one of the most representative main halls among various buildings in Kyoto. As one of a few nailless wooden buildings in the world, it is not only a representation of craftsmanship but also an exemplar of construction practice that makes use of wood to extend the life of buildings.

Founded in 778, Kiyomizu-Dera is one of the oldest temples in Kyoto. The main hall above the waterfall of Otowa-san and the 13m tall wooden stage that juts out from it make the temple a national treasure building. The existing main hall was a pure wooden building re-built in1633. Though built without nails, this traditional Japanese construction is still standing today, and the structure of the stage is a renowned reference to many architectural professionals. Adopting the Kakezukuri method, this classic building is supported by 18 pillars made from over 400-years-old zelkova trees which crisscross with some horizontally placed timbers. With the wood joints connected with a technique called Tsugite to maintain some elasticity to absorb vibrations, it remains as good as new. 

As a building material, zelkova is about twice durable as its tree age, which means that a 400-year-old zelkova can remain in good condition for 800 years, resulting in a lifespan of over 1,200 years. To allow the exiting zelkova pillars to retire in the future, the temple administrator started to plant zelkova trees on the mountains in three regions since 2000 to prepare for replacement hundreds of years later, hoping to let the legend go on forever.

Besides the massive project of replacing the central column, daily maintenance and repair are also essential to extend the life of the wooden building. For example, the cypress boards used to pave the ground must be replaced regularly, and the replaced floorboards can also find their new meanings afterwards. Clavichord maker Akira Uchida used the recently replaced ones to make a clavichord, a musical instrument invented in the 14th Century, and held a small performance with it on the stage. The classical and straightforward music set off by the fascinating scenery of Kiyomizu-Dera and the surrounding mountain view was exceptionally moving.

The website of Kiyomizu-Dera: www.kiyomizudera.or.jp