Emma - o, King and Judge of Hell

16th century

Maker Unknown

Asian Art

Buddhists believe in reincarnation, but many schools of Buddhism hold that a sinful person is punished for a period of time between death and rebirth in one of several levels of Hell. Emma-ō, a powerful and fearsome figure, decides the fate of the deceased, sometimes singly and sometimes as part of a group of ten Hell Judges. The image of Emma-ō is a focus for prayers from the living, who ask for leniency for their recently departed loved ones.

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Maker Unknown
Classification: Sculpture
Formatted Medium: Wood with gesso and traces of polychrome and inlaid glass eyes.
Medium: wood, gesso, traces, polychrome, inlaid, glass, eyes
Locations: Place made: Japan
Period: Muromachi Period
Dimensions: 19 x 18 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (48.3 x 46.4 cm)
Departments: Asian Art
Accession Number: 79.277
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. George Mann
Rights Statement: Creative Commons-BY
Museum Location: This item is not on view
Dominant Colors