Enma-ō 閻魔王

Enma-ō (閻魔王), also known as King Enma or Enma Daiō, is the fearsome and impartial judge of the dead and the supreme ruler of Jigoku (the Buddhist Hell).

Meaning and Origin

The name Enma originates from the Sanskrit name Yama, the first mortal to die and the god of death in ancient Indian (Vedic) mythology. As Buddhism spread through China and into Japan, the character of Yama evolved into Enma, adopting the robes and structure of a Tang Dynasty magistrate.

In Japan, he is seen as the leader of the “Ten Kings” who judge the souls of the deceased. Surprisingly, Enma is also considered to be an avatar of Jizō Bosatsu, the compassionate bodhisattva who descends into hell to save suffering souls, illustrating that his harsh judgments are ultimately intended for spiritual purification.

Characteristics

Enma is almost always depicted as a massive, intimidating figure with a bright red face and a large beard. He wears the traditional cap and robes of a Chinese judge and holds a mace or a tablet of office. His eyes are wide and glaring, capable of staring directly into a person’s soul to see every lie and sin committed during their lifetime.

He is aided by many demonic assistants, including the horse-headed Mezu and cow-headed Gozu, as well as secretaries who record the deeds of every living person on a giant scroll.

Legends

A common Japanese warning to children is: “If you tell a lie, King Enma will rip out your tongue!” (Uso o tsuku to Enma-sama ni bera o nukareru zo!). This reflects his role as the absolute arbiter of truth.

One of the most characteristic legends involves the Mirror of Karma (Pari-kyō). When a soul stands before Enma, he forces them to look into this magical mirror, which plays back their entire life, revealing even their most secret misdeeds. Based on this infallible evidence, Enma decides which of the many levels of hell—or which path of reincarnation—the soul must follow.