Ninth of the Ten Kings of Hell
  • Exhibition Name

    King Dosi (The Ninth King of Hell)

  • Nationality/Period

    Joseon Dynasty

  • Materials

    Silk Fabric - Silk

  • Category

    religion - Buddhism - adoration - Buddhist painting

  • Dimensions

    144.8x121.8 cm

  • Accession Number

    Deoksu1396

  • Location

    Buddhist Painting

This painting depicts the ninth King (K: King Dosi) of the Ten Kings of Hell, who manages the first anniversary of the dead. Assistant magistrates, lower-grade officials, messengers of the underworld and celestial beings are accompanying the king. Scenes of Hell are shown in the lower part, showing the judges weighing the list of sins on the scale, with the sinners confined in a pit of ice.
This work is now preserved in the National Museum of Korea along with another piece which is assumed to be part of a set of ten pieces. The origin of these works is unknown.