Lot 353: KO SUKOKU (1730-1804) AN EARLY AND RARE PAINTING OF THE HELL COURTESAN Edo

KO SUKOKU (1730-1804) AN EARLY AND RARE PAINTING OF THE HELL COURTESAN Edo period (1615-1868), late 18th century Kakejiku (hanging scroll), ink and colours on silk mounted in silk, depicting Jigoku Dayu (the Hell Courtesan), her robe bearing detailed images of the flames and other torments of the underworld including Enma-O (Judge of Hell) with a magic mirror that reveals sinners’ past misdeeds, the lining of her left sleeve revealing a contrasting scene of Amida Buddha descending to receive the souls of the dead into paradise; she wears an elaborate hair decoration and stands by a screen with a bamboo painting which bears the artist’s signature Ko Sukoku and seal Rakushisai. Overall 182cm x 61cm (71¾in x 24in); image 99cm x 42½cm (39in x 16¾in).

Provenance: Michael Tomkinson collection