Scenes of Hell Possibly 1819

Scenes of Hell was painted with ink and color on paper by Kano Tōhaku Norinobu, an artist working in Japan during the Meiji era. The late nineteenth century was a time of immense change, as Japan opened up to the West and underwent rapid modernization. This painting depicts a traditional Buddhist vision of hell, full of torment and suffering. But look closer, and you will see hints of the social anxieties of the Meiji period. The figures being punished include not only those guilty of obvious sins, but also ordinary people caught in the crosscurrents of a rapidly changing society. Kano uses traditional imagery to reflect the identity and histories of those who are impacted by modernization. In a world that feels increasingly chaotic and uncertain, this painting offers a glimpse into the human psyche. It reminds us that even in the face of profound change, our anxieties, fears, and hopes remain constant.