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Important Cultural Property

Shamon Jigoku zōshi (Tales of the Buddhist Hells)

沙門地獄草紙(沸屎地獄)
Shamon Jigoku zōshi (Tales of the Buddhist Hells) (沙門地獄草紙(沸屎地獄))
PLATE IImage: Nara National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Painting · Heian period, 12th century · held by Nara National Museum · designated Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
Important Cultural Property (重要文化財)
Category
Paintings
Date
1101–1200
Dimensions
H 26.3, W 104.4
Catalogue ID
cobas-16562

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The nature of one’s sins determines which of the Buddhist hells one falls into. Here we see a section of the Buddhist hell—a river of boiling excrement—reserved for monks who have indulged in drinking alcohol and eating meat, violoations of the precepts. The poor monks who have fallen into this horrific river cower in fear, tears of fire flowing from their eyes.

— Museum description: Nara National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Shamon Jigoku zōshi (Tales of the Buddhist Hells)(沙門地獄草紙(沸屎地獄)).” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-16562. Nara National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/shamon-jigoku-z-shi-tales-of-the-buddhist-hells/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Genre: Paintings
  • Category: Paintings, sketches, and prints:Japan:Yamato-e
  • Cultural property designation: Important Cultural Property
  • Material: Hangingscroll; colors on paper
  • Size: H 26.3, W 104.4
  • 員数: 1幅
  • 分類: 絵画
  • 種別: 絵画:日本:やまと絵
  • 品質形状: 紙本著色 掛幅装
  • 法量: 本紙:縦26.3 横104.4 表具:縦123.6 横114.0

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