Oct 27, 2012 - 1 min read

En-no-ji Temple in Kita-Kamakura

The Ten Kings of Hades

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

You can’t hide anything from Enma-daio

Blue sky and the roof of the temple gate

Bamboo trees swinging in the wind

Old stone statues are scattered around the temple grounds

Jizzo statue on the grounds. Jizzo lead us over the bridge crossing the San-zu-no-kawa River into Hades

“Datsu-e-ba” investigates whether you stole or not in your life on the 14th day after your death

Enma-daio sits in the middle of the hall and is the greatest king of ten Kings in Hades

The thatched roof of the bell hall

The temple teaches that if those who have passed away regret their sins, Daibutsu will save them later

The design of these triangles is a symbol of the Hojo Clan. Hojo controlled the Kamakura Shogunate after Yoritomo died

En-no-ji Temple enshrines the ten Kings of Hades—whom we meet when we die. Buddhism teaches that we will cross a river, San-zu-no-kawa River (‘The Border’), after we die. There, the ten Kings judge us one by one. At first, each King investigates the newcomer seven times every seven days, then 100 days later, one year later, and three years later. The greatest king of those ten Kings is En-ma-daio who sits in the middle of the hall. Buddhism teaches us to live well and honestly by showing us one of the worlds of the afterlife.

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Tomoko Kamishima

By Tomoko Kamishima

Community writer

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Elizabeth S

Elizabeth S 4 years ago

On every visit to Kamakura, I make a point of greeting Enma-O and his king-judges. Live well!

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