"What is Hell? Why must people be burned, cut apart, and decay?." Intriguing two-volume collection exploring the Japanese Buddhist vision of Hell (Jigoku), written and supervised by renowned Japanese art historian Makoto Kasuya. This lot combines two complementary works: 1. Journey Through Hell Paintings (Taiyo no Chizucho 20, 2013) A richly illustrated volume featuring famous Japanese Hell Scrolls, Hungry Ghost Scrolls, Disease Scrolls, Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki, and other masterpieces of Buddhist art. The book explores traditional concepts of hell, karma, death, and the afterlife through paintings, picture scrolls, historical sites, and religious culture. The volume opens with an essay by Haruomi Hosono (YMO), whose memorable words also appear on the obi band: "We were born into hell." • Publisher: Heibonsha • Year: 2013 • Softcover • 95 pages •Size: 253×183 mm 2. Hell Tour (Kodansha Gendai Shinsho, 2019) An entertaining and surprisingly detailed guide to the structure of the Japanese underworld. Rather than portraying Hell as pure chaos, the book presents it as a vast bureaucratic institution governed by King Enma, where every human action is recorded, reviewed, and judged. Readers are guided through the "eight-story underground" structure of Hell, its courts, punishments, officials, and legendary accounts of those said to have returned from the realm of the dead. Together, these volumes provide both the visual and intellectual dimensions of Japanese concepts of Hell, making them an excellent introduction to Buddhist art, folklore, religion, and cultural history. A fascinating collection for enthusiasts of Japanese art, Buddhism, folklore, yokai, and visions of the afterlife. •Publisher: Kodansha •Year: 2019 •Softcover •230 pages •Size: 173×108 mm Condition: Journey Through Hell Paintings: Original obi band included. Minor shelf wear and light rubbing to the cover and obi. Otherwise in very good condition. Hell Tour: Original obi band included. Minor shelf wear to the cover. Small crease to the folded obi flap. Otherwise in very good condition. Please refer to the photographs for details. Important: Due to a temporary suspension by Japan Post, shipments to the UAE cannot be made at this time. Important Notice for International Buyers: Import duties or taxes may be charged by your local customs office. These fees are not included in the item price or shipping cost. They vary depending on your country’s regulations. For more information, please check your local customs office or Catawiki’s guidance. https://www.catawiki.com/en/help/fees/do-i-have-to-pay-customs-fees