The Japanese Legend of Liar’s Hell (Uso-tsuki Jigoku)
In the West, children are told that their noses might grow if they tell a lie, a cautionary tale popularized by Pinocchio. In Japan, however, the consequences of dishonesty are far more visceral and terrifying. For centuries, Japanese parents have warned their children with a grim proverb: “If you tell a lie, Mr. Enma will pull out your tongue.”
This phrase is the gateway to the fascinating and macabre world of Liar’s Hell, a specific torment within the intricate geography of the Japanese Buddhist underworld. As travelers and culture enthusiasts, understanding this myth offers a unique window into Japanese morality, justice, and the afterlife.
Origins of the Underworld
The concept of Hell in Japan, known as Jigoku, is a complex tapestry woven from indigenous Shinto beliefs and imported Buddhist cosmology. Before the arrival of Buddhism, texts like the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan) described Yomi, a shadowy land of the dead similar to the Greek Hades, where souls resided in gloom regardless of their moral standing.
However, with the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th century, the afterlife became a bureaucracy of judgment. The Japanese adopted the concept of Naraka (Hell), which is divided into Eight Cold Hells and Eight Great Hot Hells. The administration of these realms is overseen by the Ten Kings of Hell, the most famous of whom is Enma Daio (Great King Enma), the judge of the dead.
While early Shinto texts focused on pollution and purification, the Buddhist texts introduced the law of karma, detailing specific punishments for specific sins. Liar’s Hell is not just a general space; it is a dedicated spiritual correctional facility for those who deceived others in life.
The Legend of Enma and the Tongue
The specific imagery of the “Liar’s Hell” centers on the courtroom of Enma Daio. According to folklore, the dead face judgment on the 35th day after death. Enma Daio is depicted as a fierce, red-faced giant with bulging eyes and a long beard, wearing the robes of a Chinese magistrate.
He possesses a magical object known as the Joha-no-Kagami (Crystal Mirror). When a soul stands before him and attempts to deny their sins, the mirror replays their past misdeeds with perfect clarity. There is no hiding from the truth.
For those found guilty of lying, slander, or deceit, the punishment is swift and brutal. Enma does not merely sentence them; his attendants (demons known as oni) use a pair of giant iron pincers to rip the liar’s tongue from their mouth. In some variations of the myth, the tongue is pulled to enormous lengths before being nailed to the ground, allowing demons to plow fields over it. This gruesome imagery served as a powerful deterrent in a society that valued social harmony and honesty.
Modern Culture and Proverbs
Despite its horrific origins, the legend of Liar’s Hell has softened into a cultural staple. The phrase “Uso wo tsuku to Enma-sama ni shita wo nukareru” (If you lie, Enma will pull your tongue out) is as common in Japan as the concept of the “Boogeyman” is in the West.
The character of Enma Daio appears frequently in modern pop culture. He has been featured in the hit anime series Dragon Ball Z as the comical King Yemma, and in Hozuki’s Coolheadedness (Hozuki no Reitetsu), a dark comedy about the administrative difficulties of managing Hell. These depictions often humanize the terrifying judge, turning him into an overworked bureaucrat, yet the pliers remain his iconic symbol.
Traveler’s Tips: Where to Face Judgment
For travelers fascinated by this dark side of Japanese folklore, there are several locations where you can come face-to-face with Enma and the concept of Hell.
1. Senbon Enma-do (Kyoto)
Officially known as Injo-ji, this temple is dedicated to Enma Daio. It features a large statue of the King of Hell. During the Obon season in August, the temple holds special ceremonies welcoming the spirits of ancestors.
2. Taiso-ji Temple (Tokyo)
Located in the bustling district of Shinjuku, this temple houses a massive wooden statue of Enma along with the chilling “Datsueba,” the hag who strips clothes from the dead at the river crossing to the underworld. It is a quiet, eerie spot amidst the neon lights.
3. Jigoku Meguri (Beppu)
While not a temple, the “Hell Tour” in Beppu offers a geological glimpse into the inferno. The hot springs here are colored blood-red or boiling blue, named after the Buddhist hells. It provides a sensory experience of the heat and steam associated with the underworld.
Sources & Further Reading
To dive deeper into the theology of Japanese Hell, the following historical texts are essential:
- Ojoyoshu (The Essentials of Rebirth in the Pure Land): Written by the monk Genshin in 985 AD, this text provided the vivid, terrifying visual descriptions of the Buddhist Hells that influenced Japanese art and culture for a millennium.
- Nihon Ryoiki (Record of Miraculous Events in Japan): An early collection of Buddhist setsuwa (tales) that details karmic retribution.
- Kojiki & Nihon Shoki: For context on the pre-Buddhist Japanese view of the afterlife (Yomi), these 8th-century chronicles are the primary sources.