Idea: Comparing the artistic depiction of Hell in Japanese Narrative Scrolls to Medieval Miniatures

Medieval illustration of Hell in the Hortus deliciarum manuscript of Herrad of Landsberg. 12th century.


Above is an image from a Prayer Book. Holland, Masters of the Dark Eyes (`Marciana'': Master of Cornelis Croesinck; illuminator); c. 1490-1500


Above is a 14th century illuminated manscript showing the Harrowing of Hell depicted in the Petites Heures de Jean de Berry.


This is a 15th century Persian view of Hell. In this miniature we see Mohammed along with Buraq and Gabriel in Hell. The demon is punishing women for exposing their hair to strangers.


Just exploring the idea of how the Buddhist view of hell is expressed in Japanese Narrative Scrolls compared with the Miniature Illustrations of the Islamic and Christian cultures.

Above is detail from the Scroll of Hungry Ghosts by Gaki Zoshi. Heian Period, 12th century.National Treasure.

This scroll shows the different phases of hell as written in the Buddhist sutras.