A Note on Oujouyoushuu paintings from a research trip in Japan (2019)

Abstract

In order to create a database with various examples, it is still necessary to collect and organize Japanese paintings presenting a concept about ‘realms’ after Medieval period. This paper’s objective is to report a result from a research trip on ‘Oujouyoushuu-e’ in Japan. This report contains information on “Jigoku-ezu” of Senkou-ji temple, “Oujouyoushuu-ezu”of Hayaon-ji temple, Toyama prefecture, “Jigoku-e” of Injou-ji temple and “Oujouyoushuu-zu” of Kannon-ji temple, Mie prefecture. As a result, though these paintings can be noticed an influence from earlier works such as Shoujuraigou-ji temple’s “Rokudou-e” and printed materials, especially illustrations of Oujouyoushuu from Edo period, the rearrangement of motifs, new motifs and new usage of motif can be noticed from the examples. Moreover, some works can be considered as one of an example of how the artist presented one-self in the image. Therefore, it can be noted that these paintings represent a step of Six Realms painting’s development and also represent a development of a concept of realms or the afterlife.