Japan: Jigoku Dayu, the 'Hell Courtesan'. Hanging scroll painting by Kyosai Kawanabe (18 May 1831 - 26 April 1889), 1871-1889. This painting 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. Summoning entertainment for him, she hid behind her screen to watch him. When she saw Ikkyū happily dancing along with skeletons, she knew he was who he said he was.

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Size: 3100px × 5807px
Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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