Enma

All you want to know about Enma

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Azuchi-Momoyama period wallscroll depicting Enma

Enma (閻魔, Enma^?) is the Japanese name for Yama, the ruler of the underworld in Buddhist mythology. He is often referred to as "Great King Enma" (閻魔大王, Enma-daiō^?). In both ancient and modern times, Enma is portrayed as a large man with a scowling red face, bulging eyes and a long beard. He wears traditional robes and a crown on his head that usually bears the kanji 王, which stands for "king."

Saimyō-ji is a temple with a statue depicting Enma with a laughing face.

Enma in the Japanese language

"Enma face" (閻魔顔, Enma-gao^?) is an idiom used to describe someone with a fearsome face.
"If you lie, Lord Enma will pull out your tongue" (嘘をつくと閻魔さまに舌を抜かれる^?) is a superstition often told to scare children into telling the truth.
"When borrowing, the face of a jizō; when repaying, the face of Enma" (借りる時の地蔵顔、返す時の閻魔顔^?) is a proverb used to describe the sudden change in attitude one can display depending on whether they are taking or giving.