Kiyomizuzaka

Japanese: 清水坂 - きよみずざか

This slope is on the pilgrimage route to Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto, and refers to the section between Matsubara on Higashioji-dori and Kiyomizu-dera Temple. The pilgrimage route was opened with the founding of Kiyomizu-dera Temple in the Enryaku era (782-806), and it became the shortest route from the center of Kyoto to Kiyomizu-dera Temple. It also became a key transportation point as it was a shortcut to Yamashina and joined the Tokaido. As a result, lodgings were formed on this slope, centering on shashaku (car hirers) who were involved in the transportation business. It also became a gathering place for exiles who begged for things from pilgrims passing by, and for non-humans known as sakamono (people on the slope). Commercial activity also took place here from the Nanboku-cho period, and around the Oei era (1394-1428), sake shops (sake brewers) that also operated usury businesses were concentrated on Kiyomizu-zaka, along with Kyoto and Sagatani in the western part of Kyoto. In the early modern period, it became a bustling entertainment area in front of the Kiyomizu-dera temple gate, and in the latter half of the 17th century, many tea houses were established, and souvenir shops called "Kiyomizu-dera tea shops" lined the streets. Popular souvenirs were baked mochi (rice cakes) and dango (rice dumplings), and Kiyomizu-yaki porcelain ware also began to be sold in stores. → Inns and Post Stations

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

京都清水寺への参詣路にある坂で，現在の東大路(ひがしおおじ)通松原より清水寺に至る間をいう。延暦年間（782年―806年）の清水寺創建で参詣路が開け，洛中から清水寺へ至る最短の道となり，また山科(やましな)へ抜けて東海道に合する近道として，交通の要地となった。そのためこの坂には運送業に携わる車借(しゃしゃく)を核とする〈宿〉が形成され，また往来の参詣人たちに物を乞う流亡の民や，坂者(さかのもの)とよばれる非人の集まるところともなった。南北朝期からは商業活動も行われ，応永（1394年―1428年）ころには，洛中，洛西嵯峨谷とともに清水坂に高利貸業を兼ねた酒屋（酒造業者）が集中していた。近世に入ると清水寺門前の遊興地として賑い，17世紀後半には多くの茶屋が営まれ，また土産品を売る〈清水寺茶店〉が軒を連ねた。土産品としては焼餅・団子が知られ，陶磁器の清水焼も店頭で売られるようになった。→宿・宿駅

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