To provide: a method for manufacturing an electron emission device that exhibits stability in a manufacturing process and can perform low-voltage and high-efficiency electron emission stably; the electron emission device manufactured by such a manufacturing method; an electron source using the electron emission device; and a high-contrast image display apparatus using the electron source.

The method for manufacturing an electron emission device includes: a step of preparing a carbon layer containing conductive metal particles; a step of oxidizing part of the conductive metal particles; and a step of forming a dipole layer on the top surface of the carbon layer. The electron emission device is manufactured by such a manufacturing method for the electron emission device. The electron source includes a plurality of electron emission devices. The image display apparatus includes: the electron source; and a luminance member that emits light by electron irradiation.