Ten Kings of Hell: The Afterlife in Medieval Korea

A storied exploration of a preeminent belief in the East Asian imagination of the afterlife: the Ten Kings of Hell

Journey into the world of medieval Korean Buddhist belief, where the Ten Kings of Hell judged the souls of the deceased on their path toward atonement and salvation. This lavishly illustrated catalogue explores one of East Asia's most enduring visions of the afterlife through rare Goryeo dynasty (918-1392) masterpieces, considered alongside Chinese and Japanese counterparts, the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279) and the Nanboku-cho period (1333-92).

Discover how Buddhist belief in afterlife transformed Korean mortuary practices as reflected in luxurious burial and commemorative objects such as celadons, metalwork, and stone sarcophagi. Trace the evolution of Ten Kings imagery as an independent art form, revealing how environmental disasters and social and public health upheaval shaped these haunting hellscapes. Essays by leading scholars illuminate the complex interplay of piety, wealth, and the pursuit of salvation in times of profound crisis.

Featuring several Korean national treasures and recently discovered and reattributed Goryeo-period Buddhist paintings published here for the first time, this interdisciplinary volume illuminates a crucial aspect of East Asian religious art. Contemporary artist Gala Porras-Kim presents an artistic inquiry into modern-period collecting practices through her reinterpretation of the Third King of Hell-once believed lost and now rediscovered, making its first public debut as a color plate in both the catalogue and the exhibition.

Distributed for the Cleveland Museum of Art

Exhibition Schedule:

The Cleveland Museum of Art
(October 11, 2026-January 3, 2027)