A structure is provided which facilitates manufacturing of a flat type image display element which includes electrodes capable of enhancing the display efficiency with an extremely small control electrode current using a cathode material which can obtain a sufficient intensity of electron emission in a low electric field. A structure is provided in which control electrodes and cathodes are formed substantially on a the plane on a first panel, while control electrode lines which electrically connect the control electrodes of a plurality of pixels are not included in the plane which is parallel to a phosphor screen panel and includes the cathodes and the control electrodes.