Skip to main content

The Burning Cauldron, a section from the Hell Scrolls (Jigoku zôshi)

12th century
Medium/TechniqueSection from a handscroll; ink and color on paper
DimensionsOverall: 30 x 106.5 cm (11 13/16 x 41 15/16 in.)
Image: 25.6 x 52 cm (10 1/16 x 20 1/2 in.)
Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession number11.6254
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsPaintings
Collections
InscriptionsOther: The work is accompanied by one kiwame authentication document and three other documents. また別所あり、なをは(銅?)釜所/といふ、むかしひとにむまれて、いけ/るものをなやまし、人をくるし/めしむくひに、この地獄におつ、/このところに獄卒つみひとを/とらへて、あかゝねのなへにいれて、/したに火をたきて(こ?)れをい(る?)、/罪人身分こかれとをりて、苦患/しのひかたし、 [詞書]
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.
Figures on left
Hishikawa Moronobu
about late Genroku era (1688–1704)
Katsukawa Shun'ei
about early Kansei era (1789–1801)
One Man Making Love to Ten Women
Artist unknown, Japanese
about Kyôwa (1801–04) - early Bunka (1804–18) eras
Artist unknown, Japanese
17th century
Tsukioka Sessai
about late An'ei (1772–81) to Tenmei (1781–89) eras