Japan: Jigoku Dayu, the 'Hell Courtesan', painted by Kyosai Kawanabe (1831-1889)

This print, by Kyōsai, depicts a variation of the Jigoku Dayu tale. One day, when the monk Ikkyū came to the brothel, he sat to enjoy a meal of fresh fish and sake, which are forbidden to Buddhist monks. Jigoku Dayu, with her sharp mind, assumed that this person was an imposter claiming to be the famous Ikkyū.

She summoned entertainment for him, and hid behind her screen to watch him. When she looked, she saw Ikkyū happily dancing along with skeletons, and knew that he was who he said he was.

This can be interpreted in a number of ways: Ikkyū is famous for reminding everyone of the inevitability of death with his skull-stick, and had commented often that under our skins which we so earnestly protect, is only a skeleton which will one day be all that is left of us.

Copyright:

Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History