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The Burning Cauldron, a section from the Hell Scrolls (Jigoku zôshi)


地獄草子断簡
Japanese
Heian period
12th century

Medium/Technique Section from a handscroll; ink and color on paper
Dimensions Overall: 30 x 106.5 cm (11 13/16 x 41 15/16 in.)
Image: 25.6 x 52 cm (10 1/16 x 20 1/2 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.6254
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia
ClassificationsPaintings

Catalogue Raisonné MFA, Japanese Masterpieces (2012), #21; MFA Highlights: Arts of Japan (2008), p. 76; Kajima Foundation MFA cat. 1 (Japanese ed. 1997, English ed. 1998), ch. I (Buddhist & Shinto ptg.), no. 8
InscriptionsOther: The work is accompanied by one kiwame authentication document and three other documents.
また別所あり、なをは(銅?)釜所/といふ、むかしひとにむまれて、いけ/るものをなやまし、人をくるし/めしむくひに、この地獄におつ、/このところに獄卒つみひとを/とらへて、あかゝねのなへにいれて、/したに火をたきて(こ?)れをい(る?)、/罪人身分こかれとをりて、苦患/しのひかたし、 [詞書]
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.