#jigoku tayuu

[marionsinspirations]

When I die, do not burn me, do not bury me

Throw me into a field, so I may fill the bellies of the starving dogs.

Jigoku Tayū

[superamatista]

Okou appreciation

Okou is the chief assistant of Shugo Hell, which is the part of Jigoku (Japanese Hell) for sex-related crimes. She used to work as lure to attract sinners into getting tortured by huge oni, but eventually gained a higher-ranked title. She’s not much of a torturer but she sometimes uses whips. 

Her boss is Jigoku-Tayuu aka Hell Courtesan, from the story of the same name.

She loves snakes and is also in charge of raising snakes to work as torture animals in Hell (yes, really!). She incorporates snakes, live ones or as designs, in her clothing as well.

Because of her kind, friendly and polite personality, she gets along with pretty much everyone, being like an “older sister” to her friends and co-workers. 

She is childhood friends with Hoozuki, Uzu and Yomogi, and all of them remain friends as adults working in Jigoku. The Zashiki-Warashi, Hoozuki’s daughter figures, like her as well.

She’s also among the very few people who can stop Hoozuki’s fights with Hakutaku, something that not even the Great King Enma can do. 

Because of her beauty and personality she has several admirers, including Karauri and Hakutaku 

She doesn’t have a romantic partner but she has said she likes kind, patient and hardworking people. In the manga it’s revealed that she wants someone who loves animals and accepts her love for snakes. Apparently many people see that as a deal-breaker (weaklings).

She tried making durian cake once. It was horribly stinky XD

She’s among the few people with whom Hoozuki is consistently nice and considerate (he gave her his coat while in Cold Hell, for instance). 

All in all, she’s great <3

[hotmonkeelove]

If you’re wondering where I got the name, Jigoku Dayu, this is a depiction of her.

Junko Mizuno

[grave-of-the-lizard-king]

河鍋暁斎『地獄太夫図』 Kyosai kawanabe『Hell Tayuu』

She of courtesan perceived her beauty to be transient. She introduced herself as hell.

聞きしより見て美しき地獄かな A rumor was being heard, but I saw you. You’re a beautiful hell. ― Ikkyu Zenji (zen monk)

[hotmonkeelove]

It’s always a thrill to find art of Jigoku Dayu I haven’t seen before!

Ikkyu & Jigokudayu / Kiyochika

今古誠画浮世繪類考之内 建武延元ノ頃　小林清親　1884年

“今ヲ去五百五十年” 一休禅師と地獄太夫

※地獄太夫の背後の屏風に極楽図が摺られているようだ。