Afterpants: Underthings (Special Edition: Enma)

For today's ghost...I chose, not a category or type of ghost but perhaps the most famous ghost of them all. Enma! Who's Enma? Well, the ruler of the underworld and judge of the dead. (Wait...you mean you didn't read my Afterpants: Dharmundies special on him? I don't know guys...you're slipping...I'm trying to get monetized here after all...)

Now first off...we have to qualify. Why am I calling him a ghost? Well, there are snippets of info from Japanese/Indian/Chinese lore that would indicate that he's "the first person that ever died" and for whatever reason, was put in charge of judging and categorizing everyone that came to the underworld after him. (he was also given a 'ghost growth' hormone or something because this guy is MASSIVE)

When we talk about Enma...we obviously have to tip our hats to the progenitor of the story...King Yama (from Hindu belief)

My favorite thing about the story of King Yama is that he has 2 giant dogs with 4 eyes that help him guard the afterlife. Also, in general, he's depicted as a nice guy that has to do a job no one else likes or wants. In Buddhism, he displays a little more fierceness obviously:

So...wrap up your nice, 1st dead guy, give him a job as the overseer of the dead, mix in a little Buddhism (and Bon faith), stir in some Chinese Taoism (that's pronounced DOW-izm btw) and ship it all off to Japan to get this guy:

Now, of course...,favorite depiction comes from Dragonball Z:

...where his person-hood is reinstated and while he's still the "judge of the dead", he's a bit goofy and friendly. The terrifying Lord of Death regains a sense of "hey....just a guy doing his job"

Enma (aka Emma) is part of a set of 10 (or 13) Judges in the underworld which examine souls as they come through the afterlife in a calculated bi-weekly series of judgements (until you get to the last few judges, then it's like every year...every 3 years etc.)

In the meantime I suppose the dead have the opportunity to shop for Underworld Underwear or hang out at the pool.

(For more info on Japanese beliefs regarding the afterlife you can refer here)

(For more info on Underworlds in general, please see my other series Afterpants: Nether Regions...(see it's funny because it's a double entendre: "Nether regions" being both a description of actual realms beyond earth and a colloquialism for one's private parts)

(For more info and silliness regarding the types of underwear one might find in the afterlife, pleas refer here)

However, based on the Hell Scrolls, I would imagine that "hanging out at the pool" is an experience I would pass on...

(This is one of the Hell Scrolls and is a very big image so download and peruse at your leisure. (This is a wiki media commons object))

So Enma...what do you offer the King of Hell? I mean, if he shows up at your door looking to borrow a cup of sugar or something?

Well, we know he's got a big fancy desk, and two attendants, plus all the demonic (Oninic???) hordes he could ever want, so the offering should probably be a little more personal. He will defs want an offering of alcoholic beverages; Sake, wine, etc...I'd personally avoid the dark liquors...he doesn't seem like that kind of guy to me

Now...we know he has desk, but I've never seen a Japanese illustration of his house!...Maybe Enma could use his own shrine?! Like one with a parsonage in the back covered in fresh, new tatami mats and a giant onsen. Obviously, you can't carry around a house in your pocket so, get a miniature one and place it on your altar. That should do the trick.

Enma will probably want clothing. Those silk robes are great for the office, but he'll need casual wear as well...and of course...UNDIES! I'd suggest a multi-pack with several different types as we're not quite sure the type of underwear he'd prefer.

(Again, in miniature, on your altar (Barbie clothes or something similar))

Food! Maybe he's tired of Japanese food...maybe he's become a vegetarian? We don't know that either. The standard fare of bowls of fruit are a good start, but as he's kind of angry alot, maybe something more soothing like dark chocolate etc...

(oh...and don't forget Hell money!!!)

A ghost of his standing should have a car and driver. Sure, he could ask one of the demons to do it, but they already all have jobs in the underworld so choose something you'd like and put it on your Kamidana.

Lastly, (and while this is more of an Ancient Egyptian tradition) you might want to think about images of the man himself...dolls, plushies, statues, drawings etc...the dead love to see themselves memorialized.

Also, keep in mind that offerings to Enma may get you a boost in the polls once you're downstairs...at least, that's the rumor!