Go to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka

The Descent into Jigoku Exhibition is coming to Osaka, offering visitors a unique exploration of the concept of hell in Japanese culture. Hell in Japan is far more nuanced than the straightforward version found in Western countries, and the exhibit aims to help attendees understand this concept through various art pieces.

Two primary ideas of hell exist in Japan: the Shinto concept of Yomi, which was seen as a dark and foreboding place, and the Buddhist concept of Jigoku. The latter was introduced to Japan around the sixth century and features a complex system of hells tailored to individuals' karmic transgressions.

The Descent into Jigoku Exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the process of death and afterlife, starting with the nine stages of decay. This includes everything from the final moments of life to various forms of decomposition, such as "distention," "exudation of blood," and "putrefaction." These stages are believed to help individuals understand the impermanence of the physical form and resist urges of lust.

Next, the exhibit leads visitors to Chu-u, or Bardo in Buddhism, a transitional space between death and rebirth. In some interpretations, this space may involve encounters with the Ten Kings of Jigoku, who judge one's mortal deeds and assign them to the appropriate level of hell.

However, the exhibit also highlights that Buddhist hell is rarely eternal. Instead, its purpose is to burn away sins until one's soul is pure enough for rebirth. The exhibition also features the Eight Great Hells, known as the Eight Hot Hells, which involve various tortures like animals devouring flesh and being repeatedly murdered. These hells are often depicted with molten metal, iron dogs, and wardens relentlessly attacking those who fall into them.

Additionally, the exhibit explores the Eight Cold Hells, which involve freezing to death in various ways, only to be regenerated and forced to endure the cycle again. There are also numerous sub-hells featuring niche tortures, such as dogs with fire for teeth, giant birds dropping individuals from great heights, and chunks of iron raining from the sky.

To give visitors a more authentic experience, the Descent into Jigoku Exhibition uses digital recreations of some works of art, including those deemed national treasures and important cultural properties. KOO-KI, a visual effects and spatial design company, has employed projection mapping and animation to bring these pieces to life, making the wardens of hell literally leap off the page at viewers.