According to tradition about the foundation of Kiyomizu-dera Temple described in some historical materials such as "Konjaku Monogatari" (The Tale of Times Now Past), a monk of Kojima-dera Temple, Enchin, founded Kiyomizu-dera Temple to enshrine Senju Kannon (Thousand armed Avalokitesvara) after he had a nightmare and went to Otowa no taki Falls (it was described as '小島山寺' not 'Kojima-dera Temple' in "Konjaku Monogatari").
『今昔物語』等に取り上げられている清水寺開創伝承によれば、清水寺は子嶋寺の僧・延鎮（賢心）が霊夢を得て音羽の滝にたどりつき、千手観音を祀って開創したものである（『今昔物語』には「小島山寺」と見える）。