Kiyomizu no Butai kara Tobioriru
English Term: Kiyomizu no Butai kara Tobioriru / Take a leap of faith / Make a bold commitment
Japanese (Kanji): 清水の舞台から飛び降りる
Hiragana: きよみずのぶたいからとびおりる
Romaji: Kiyomizu no Butai kara Tobioriru
Quick Definition
An idiom meaning to make a major, high-risk decision with full awareness of the consequences.
It expresses courage mixed with fear.
Literal Meaning & Cultural Origin
The phrase refers to Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto, whose wooden stage stands high above ground.
Historically, people believed that surviving a jump from it would grant a wish.
Thus the idiom came to mean:
A decisive leap taken despite danger.
It implies:
Irreversibility.
Core Meaning
清水の舞台から飛び降りる suggests:
- Serious commitment
- Emotional tension before action
- Awareness of consequences
- Choosing risk over safety
It is not reckless.
It is resolved.
Grammar & Usage (For Learners)
Common structure:
清水の舞台から飛び降りるつもりで + action
Example:
清水の舞台から飛び降りるつもりで転職した。
"I changed jobs as if jumping from Kiyomizu's stage."
This emphasizes internal psychological risk rather than physical danger.
Representative Anime Scenes (No Major Spoilers)
① Naruto – Declaring the Dream of Hokage
Naruto's early public declaration that he will become Hokage:
- He is socially isolated.
- He lacks recognition.
But he commits publicly.
That declaration is a leap.
It is a social risk.
② My Hero Academia – Izuku's Entrance Exam Decision
Izuku Midoriya chooses to take the U.A. entrance exam despite overwhelming odds.
He knows the gap between himself and others.
Yet he acts.
This moment represents:
Commitment before certainty.
A classic leap-of-faith structure.
③ A Silent Voice (聲の形) – Seeking Reconciliation
When a character chooses to confront their past mistakes and reach out to someone they hurt:
- There is fear.
- There is shame.
- There is social risk.
That emotional step is metaphorically identical to jumping from Kiyomizu's stage.
It is not action for spectacle.
It is action for redemption.
Narrative Function
In story structure, this idiom marks:
The Commitment Point.
Often located at:
- End of Act 1
- Beginning of transformation arc
- Turning point in romance or rivalry
It converts:
Hesitation → Action
Desire → Choice
Cultural Insight for Learners
In Japanese communication, people often:
- Avoid extreme declarations
- Weigh consequences carefully
Therefore, when this idiom is used, it signals:
This is serious.
It is not casual risk-taking.
Difference from "YOLO"
English slang like "YOLO" suggests impulsiveness.
清水の舞台から飛び降りる implies:
Considered bravery.
The speaker knows the fall is real.
Structural Connections
This idiom connects naturally with:
- 覚悟 (resolve)
- 腹を括る (to brace oneself)
- 二の足を踏む (to hesitate)
- 成長物語 (coming-of-age arc)
It is the moment hesitation ends.
Dictionary Classification
Primary Alphabet Index: K
Primary Kana Index: か行（き）
Primary Category: Idiom
Secondary Categories:
- Decision & Commitment
- Cultural Expression
- Narrative Turning Point
- Courage Expression