Enmaou　閻魔王

KEY WORD :　art history / iconography

Also Enraou 閻羅王; Sk: Yamaraja. The name whereby *Enmaten 焔魔天 is more commonly known in Japan in his role as king of the underworld and judge of the dead. After his introduction to China, from India his cult was strongly influenced by Taoist and other popular beliefs, and Enmaou came to be regarded as one of the ten kings of the underworld *juuou 十王. It is in this form that he is known and worshipped in Japan, and he is generally depicted with wrathful mien and a long beard. He wears flowing Chinese robes and a judge's hat, and holds a mace. He may also be flanked by a number of retainers, including Shimyou 司命 and Shiroku 司録, whose duty it is to investigate and record the sins of the dead. Enmaou is usually enshrined in a special chapel called enmadou 閻魔堂 (often together with the other nine kings of the underworld), and images of him preserved at Ennouji 円応寺 in Kanagawa prefecture and Byakugouji 白毫寺 in Nara, are especially renowned.

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