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2022.8.26
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floral ceiling

Meet at Temples and Shrines in Kyoto! 10 Places to Visit for Flower Ceilings

Hana-tei (flower ceiling) is found in temples and shrines, and is characterized by a variety of flowers painted one at a time on each square of the coffered ceiling. They are said to express the meaning of respect for the Buddha and gods enshrined there. Many of them have high value as cultural assets and are valuable as representations of the times and culture. When you visit Kyoto, be sure to see them.

6. Respect for the ceiling [Hokoji Temple] / Gion

A temple of the Tendai sect, founded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1586.
The hana-temple ceiling is located inside Daikokudo Hall, which enshrines Daikokuten, a goddess said to have been carried by Hideyoshi as a talisman. There are 80 floral ceilings painted in the inner sanctum of the hall, all with different pictures of flowers. The ceiling inside the bell tower, where the temple bell is located, is also painted, so be sure to observe both ceilings carefully when you visit the temple.

Flower Ceiling at Houkouji Temple

Visitors can see lovely flowers painted in a circular pattern. In addition to Japanese flowers, colorful Western flowers decorate a total of 80 ceilings. Production period and painter are unknown.

Houhouji Temple

Houhouji Temple

  • direction
  • 527-2 Chayamachi, Yamato-oji Higashi-iru, Maezen-dori, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 10-minute walk from Keihan Shichijo Station
  • Tel. 075-561-7676
  • The flower ceiling can be viewed only during special openings.
    Special exhibition period / September 10 (Sat.) to 19 (Mon.), 2022 (closed on September 17)
    *Check Instagram for special openings.

7. More than 150 mirrored panels with a blue background [Honryuji Temple] / Nishijin

The head temple of the Shinmon school of the Lotus Sect, founded by Nisshin Shonin in 1488 (Chokyo 2), blending in with the old streets of Nishijin.
In the inner sanctuary of the Soshidō Hall, an Important Cultural Property, plants are painted on more than 150 surfaces on the mirror panels of the coffered ceiling. The background is characterized by a deep blue, and although the colors have faded, remnants of the vivid colors can be seen in places. The main hall is currently undergoing restoration, which will be completed next year. The Soshido-Hall is usually closed to the public, but visitors wishing to view the hall must make a reservation by the same day. Restoration is scheduled to begin next summer.

Flower ceiling of Honryuji Temple

The painter and the date of production are unknown, but the work is believed to be from the early Edo period. Note the black-lacquered coffered edge of the coffered ceiling.

Entrance to Honryuji Temple

Hongryuji Temple

  • main current of thought
  • 330 Monya-cho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 5 min. walk from bus stop "Imadegawa Omiya
    15 minutes walk from Karasuma-Imadegawa Subway Station
  • Tel. 075-441-5762
  • Reservations required at least one day in advance for flower ceiling
    Up to 5 persons per couple *2,000 yen deposit (with guidance)

8. Japanese painter who was friends with the owner painted [Former Residence Omuro] / Omuro

The garden and sukiya-style architecture spread over an area of 500 tsubo (1,860 m2), and in 1970, the late Mitsuo Yamamoto, president of the Kyoto lumber mill Yamazan Sawmill, took over the house, renovated the dilapidated garden, and partially renovated the building. The house has been used as a place for socializing, mainly by renting the entire building year-round.
The Western-style room with a flower ceiling was added during the renovation. Six flower paintings surround a chandelier. It used to be a guest room with a luxurious sofa. The floral ceiling probably added color to the hospitality of the guests.

Flower Ceiling in the Former Residence's Imperial Villa

Although the date of production is not clear, it is estimated that a flower ceiling was also painted when the building was expanded. The artist is Akira Muto, a Japanese-style painter whose works were in Mr. Yamamoto's collection.

Entrance to the Former Residence Gosho

former residence of the shogun

  • crying room
  • 5 Omuro Okanosuso-machi, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
  • Tel. 075-366-0376
  • Normally closed to the public (open only in May)

9. Ceiling paintings that bloom in the hearts of parishioners [Seifukuji Temple]/Gion

In the Heian period (794-1185), Kobo Daishi built Tsujido at Rokudo Tsuji, located at the entrance to Toribeno, one of the three major burial grounds in Kyoto, and enshrined a Jizo statue of his own creation. It is still worshipped today as a child-rearing Jizo, a child-supporting Jizo, and a child-supporting Jizo.
Currently, there are no special openings, and the floral ceiling cannot be viewed from inside the main hall, but it can be seen from outside. The flower ceiling, created in the Showa period (1926-1989), depicts many Western flowers such as iris, gerbera, and bougainvillea.

Flower Ceiling at Saifukuji Temple

Dedicated in 1983 by Japanese painter Yuzumi Morimoto and his students as a memorial service for the 1,150th anniversary of Empress Danrin's death. Nine of the 64 panels were created by Morimoto Yuusen.

Entrance to Seifukuji Temple

Saifukuji Temple

  • writing time
  • 81 Nishi-Turinokurikurakucho, Matsubara-dori Yamato-oji Higashi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 7 minutes walk from Keihan "Kiyomizu Gojo Station"
  • Tel. 075-551-0675
  • The flower ceiling is closed to the public.

10. Elegance worthy of the name of Jyoban Gosho [Koshoin Temple] / Nishijin

Also known as Jouban Gosho, this nun-monzeki temple of the Jodo sect was founded in 1356 by Princess Shinko, daughter of Emperor Go-Fushimi, in the northern part of Muromachi Ichijo-kita.
The interior of the hall has a folding top ceiling that gives a sense of prestige, and the 80-sided flower ceiling in the center of the hall is magnificent. The 80-sided flower ceiling in the center of the hall is magnificent. The elegant and dainty atmosphere of the flowers, which is typical of nun monzeki, is a sight to behold. The temple grounds also include Tokiwa Kaikan, a building that was moved from the Showa Period (1926-1989). Normally, these buildings are closed to the public, but they are open to the public on special occasions, so take the opportunity to visit.

Hana-ceiling at Koshoin Temple

The hana-tei (flower ceiling) was created by Kyoto-born nanga artist Naogai Tanomura in 1968, the same year the main hall was built. Flowers such as ume (Japanese apricot), kiku (Japanese aster), and lotus are depicted.

Main Hall of Koshoin Temple

Koushouin era (1132.8.11-1135.4.27)

  • negotiators
  • 425, Anrakkoji-cho, Shinmachi-dori Kamidachiuri, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
  • 6 minute walk from Horikawa-teranouchi bus stop.
    8 minutes on foot from Subway "Imadegawa Station"
  • Tel. 075-441-2254
  • Normally closed to the public (open to the public only during special openings)
The information is subject to change. Please contact each store or facility directly for the latest information.
All prices include tax.
※内容の誤りや閉店情報などお気づきの点がございましたら、info@leafkyoto.co.jp までお知らせください。
*Since this site uses automatic translation, the translation may differ from the original Japanese content.

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