Emma - o, King and Judge of Hell
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.
MEDIUM
Wood with gesso and traces of polychrome and inlaid glass eyes.
DATES
16th century
PERIOD
Muromachi Period
DIMENSIONS
19 x 18 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (48.3 x 46.4 cm)
(show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER
79.277
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. George Mann
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Emma - o, King and Judge of Hell, 16th century. Wood with gesso and traces of polychrome and inlaid glass eyes., 19 x 18 1/4 x 13 1/4 in. (48.3 x 46.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. H. George Mann, 79.277. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 79.277_front_PS6.jpg)
IMAGE
front, 79.277_front_PS6.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2013
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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