Deva (ten) or guardian deity
Enma Ō
閻魔王
Enma Ō is one of the kings in the East Asian faith of the Ten Kings, who judge the deeds of the dead during their lifetimes. He is said to be in charge of the judgment on the fifth seventh day (goshichinichi), that is, the thirty-fifth day after death. In the Japanese correspondence between the Ten Kings and original buddhas, there is a tradition that links him with Jizō Bosatsu.
This introduction is based on materials from Shōhōin (Tobi Fudō). It is summarized within the scope of the beliefs and traditions those materials convey, and does not present explanations or customs common to all schools, shrines, and temples.
English pages are the site’s own translations of its Japanese pages. The sources cited are in Japanese. 日本語で読む
One of the Ten Kings, who question deeds after death
Enma Ō is one of the kings in the East Asian faith of the Ten Kings, who judge the deeds of the dead during their lifetimes. He is said to be in charge of the judgment on the fifth seventh day (goshichinichi), that is, the thirty-fifth day after death. In the Japanese correspondence between the Ten Kings and original buddhas, there is a tradition that links him with Jizō Bosatsu.
Source: 奈良国立博物館・飛不動尊 正宝院
What the fearsome form of the king asks
The figure of a judge wearing Chinese-style official robes is connected with depictions of the underworld that developed in China. Shōhōin explains the stern face as urging people not to do wrong again. Through stories of what happens after death, it is also a faith that leads people to reflect on their present deeds.
Source: 奈良国立博物館・飛不動尊 正宝院
Mantra (in Japanese, as written in the sources)
おん えんまや そわか
Source: 真言宗豊山派 朝日山法圓寺
おん ばいばそわたや そわか
Source: 真言宗豊山派 朝日山法圓寺
Shown as written in the Japanese sources. This site does not set how or how many times to recite it.
Related kami and buddhas
Sources (in Japanese)
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：閻魔王」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：目次」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 奈良国立博物館「十王図」（2026-10-15 確認）
- 飛不動尊 正宝院「仏様の世界：十王」（2026-10-14 確認）
- 真言宗豊山派 朝日山法圓寺「法坐読本 諸尊図集（令和6年1月1日発行）」（2026-10-16 確認）