Statue of King Enma at Jorakuji Temple

In Buddhism, it is believed that the deceased undergo a series of trials by ten kings who judge their sins in the underworld (the world of Buddha), determining the world they will go to. This faith in the ten kings was established during the late Tang dynasty in China, transmitted to Japan in the late Heian period, and became widely popular during the Kamakura period. It is said that the ten kings, wearing crowns, dressed in Taoist robes, and holding scepters, display fierce appearances under the strong influence of Taoism. Enma, one of these ten kings, is known as the king of hell. His sister is called Datsueba, who is said to strip people of their clothes by the Sanzu River and hand them over to the hanging old man in the trees.
The statue of Enma is enshrined at Joraku-ji Temple in Higashi-Naganuma, which is designated as a cultural property by Tokyo. It is located to the right of the Amida Triad statue in the inner sanctum of the Amida Hall (main hall), along with the statue of Datsueba.
This statue of Enma is made of joined wood, with a height of 98.3 centimeters. It is fully painted, expressing an open, angry appearance, and is made with inlaid gem eyes.
Inside the statue's abdomen, there is an inscription that reads, "Made by the chief priest of Joraku-ji Temple, Umi Ikesaka, of Jukkozan Jodo-in, in the village of Tamachonuma, Banshu, on the day of the 9th month of the 12th year of Genroku (1669)." It is believed that this statue was created by Umi Ikesaka, the head priest of Joraku-ji Temple, and has existed there since its inception.
Crafted with exquisite carving techniques, it can be considered an outstanding work among the Buddhist statues from the mid-Edo period that exist in Minami-Tama.