A special exhibition of the "Hana no Tenjo," or flower ceiling, of Hiraoka Hachiman-gu Shrine's main sanctuary in Umegahata, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, started on September 18. Visitors gazed at the colorful ceiling adorned with paintings of seasonal flowering plants above their heads.

Hana no Tenjo is said to have been created at the end of the Edo Period. Forty-four kinds of plants, such as Japanese maple, wild cherry blossom, tree peony and grapevine, are painted individually on approximately 70-square-centimeter lattices. The ceiling is shown to the public every spring and autumn.

Visitors intently gazed at the ceiling, as they listened to Chief Priest Shunsuke Sasaki's explanation. Soichiro Takagi from Ukyo Ward was fascinated by the paintings, saying, "The colors are well preserved and beautiful."

In commemoration of the 1,200th anniversary of the shrine's establishment, the deity figure, "Sogyo Hachiman Shinzo," is also on display. The special exhibition continues until November 30. There is an admission fee.