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
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Chōbunsai Eishi
early 19th century
Sakai Ōho
ca. 1839
Unidentified artist
early 19th century
Utagawa Hiroshige
1857
Katsushika Hokusai
ca. 1830–32
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.