The Hell Courtesan
Perhaps reflective of the unstable political climate, the Hell Courtesan (Jigoku Dayū) was popularly depicted in woodblock prints and paintings especially during the transitional years between the Edo and Meiji periods. Centrally located on the back of the high-ranking courtesan’s robe is Emma-Ō, one of the Ten Kings of Hell, getting ready to sentence a sinner. He is surrounded by horned demons, strategically depicted along the garment folds, whose job it is to carry out punishments. By contrast, the obi shows a bodhisattva with attendants, who are descending from the heaven as saviors for the deceased.
No biographical information about this artist or other works with the same signature have come to light. A nearly identical painting by Haruki Nanmei (1795–1878), dated to 1865 and in a private Japanese collection, was no doubt the inspiration for this later work.
No biographical information about this artist or other works with the same signature have come to light. A nearly identical painting by Haruki Nanmei (1795–1878), dated to 1865 and in a private Japanese collection, was no doubt the inspiration for this later work.
Artwork Details
- 地獄太夫図
- Title: The Hell Courtesan
- Artist: Seikei (Japanese, active second half of the 19th century)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: late 19th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Hanging scroll; ink and color on silk
- Dimensions: Image: 39 1/8 × 20 1/8 in. (99.4 × 51.1 cm)
Overall with mounting: 81 1/4 × 26 1/4 in. (206.4 × 66.7 cm)
Overall with knobs: 26 1/4 × 29 in. (66.7 × 73.7 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
- Object Number: 29.100.517
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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