Jigokuzshi

Jigokuzshi is a term that translates from Japanese as "hell picture" or "hell scroll." It refers to a genre of Buddhist art that depicts the torments of hell as described in Buddhist scriptures. These artworks were primarily created in Japan, particularly during the Kamakura (1185-1333) and Muromachi (1336-1573) periods. The purpose of these Jigokuzshi was to serve as a moralistic and didactic tool, intended to warn individuals of the consequences of their sinful actions and encourage them to live a virtuous life to avoid rebirth in the hell realms.

The imagery in Jigokuzshi is often graphic and visceral, illustrating the various punishments meted out to sinners in different levels of hell. Common depictions include beings being boiled in cauldrons, flayed, impaled, or subjected to extreme heat and cold. These hells are populated by Yama, the king of hell, and various demons or yōkai who carry out the punishments. The scrolls would typically depict a progression through the hells, showing the suffering of different types of sinners based on their transgressions, such as greed, anger, or deceit.

Jigokuzshi played a significant role in popular Buddhist teachings, making abstract concepts of karma and rebirth tangible for the illiterate population. They were often displayed in temples and used by monks during sermons to illustrate the terrifying reality of hell and the importance of Buddhist practices for achieving enlightenment and escaping the cycle of suffering. The detailed and often disturbing nature of these artworks aimed to evoke a strong emotional response, fostering a sense of fear and repentance.