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Tengu Origins
Below text courtesy of JAANUS (includes Japanese characters)
Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System
http://www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/t/tengu.htm
Literally celestial dog. A bird-like goblin frequently encountered in Japanese folk-beliefs, literature and their pictorial depictions. The Japanese demons derive the name from the Chinese mountain god Tiangou 天狗, but also are related to the winged Buddhist deity Garuda. Furthermore, tengu are seen as transformations (Jp : keshin 化身) of Shinto deities, yama no kami 山の神, mountain guardians often associated with tall trees. Tengu are of two physical types: karasu tengu 烏天狗 identified by a bird's head and beak; and konoha tengu 木の葉天狗 distinguished by a human physique but with wings and a long nose (also called yamabushi tengu). This type of tengu often carries a feather fan in one hand. Because of its long nose, tengu are associated with the Shinto deity Sarudahiko 猿田彦 who takes on the visage of a monkey, and tengu masks play a prominent role in some religious festivals. Early Japanese popular tales such as those in the KONJAKU MONOGATARI 今昔物語 (early 12c) portray tengu as enemies of Buddhism, setting fires at temples or tricking priests. Priests who attain special powers through religious discipline, but use these powers for their own ends were thought to enter in the next life the transmigratory realm of tengudou 天狗道. The earliest representations of tengu are in Kamakura-period emaki 絵巻, such as the "Tengu zoushi emaki 天狗草紙絵巻" of 1296 (Nezu 根津 Museum), which criticize arrogant priests who end up becoming tengu. According to legend, as a boy the famous warrior Minamoto no Yo****sune 源義経 (1159-89) trained in magical swordsmanship with the tengu king Soujoubou 僧正坊 near Kuramadera 鞍馬寺 in the mountains north of Kyoto (see photo below). Tengu frequently are shown in pictures concerning the life of Yo****sune, including both the Hogen-Heiji 保元平治 battle screens (Metropolitan Museum) and depictions of "Hashi Benkei 橋弁慶" or "Benkei at the Bridge" theme. The Momoyama-period daimyo 大名 Kobayakawa Takakage 小早川隆景 (1532-90) supposedly held dialogues with the tengu king Buzenbou 豊前坊 on Mt. Hiko 彦 (see photo below). The character of tengu gradually changed over the centuries. For instance, tengu were long thought to abduct children, but by the Edo period they often were enlisted to aid in the search for missing children. Similarly, tengu became temple guardians and sculpted images of them were placed on or around temple buildings. Tengu also are associated with yamabushi 山伏 or "mountain ascetics," whose form they often assumed. Tengu often are depicted wearing the yamabushi's distinctive cap and robe. Illustration of tengu increased in popularity and variety during the Edo period, usually reflecting the more positive and even light-hearted conception of the once-ferocious demon. In particular, the long nose of the tengu carried both comic and sexual meaning in ukiyo-e 浮世絵 prints. <end quote by JAANUS>
Karasu Tengu, Hansobo Shrine, Kamakura
Karasu (crow) Tengu
Hansobo Shrine, Kamakura
Modern Tengu Mask (wood and lacquer)
Noh Mask
Yamabushi Tengu
(pride-fallen monk)
Yamabushi Tengu
Pride-fallen monk
Hansobo Shrine, Kamakura
TYPES OF TENGU
Daitengu (Major Tengu or Yamabushi Tengu). Symbol of fallen monks or warriors, whose arrogance and pretentiousness angered the Tengu. Portrayed as a tall man with long nose, red face, wearing garb of hermit or priest, with small hat that serves as a drinking cup; with or without wings, but always able to fly; sometimes wearing geta (wooden sandals), holding a magic fan made of bird feathers (when used, can make hellish winds), carrying a staff (bo/jo) or small mallet.
Kurama Tengu (Tengu of Mt. Kurama). Home of the white-haired and ancient Sojobo, King of the Tengu.
Karasu Tengu
(Crow Tengu, Minor
Tengu or Kotengu)
The most ancient form, these crow-like goblins now serve the Daitengu Yamabushi Tengu.
Tengu Evolution
The Tengu has evolved in both appearance and purpose over the centuries. Originally portrayed as an evil crow-like creature with a man's body, a beaked face, a small compact head, feathered wings, and heavy claws, the Tengu has since evolved into a protective bird-like man-goblin with an uncommonly long nose, wearing a small monk hat, and oft-times sporting a red face. Patrons of the martial arts, Tengu are credited with exraordinary skills in sword fighting and weapon smithing. They sometimes serve as mentors in the art of war and strategy to humans they find worthy. Tengu live in colonies under the leadership of a single Tengu, who is served by messenger Tengu (usually Karasu). More mischievous than evil, the Tengu are hatched from eggs like birds.
Karasu Tengu ("Crow" Tengu)
The ancient form of the Tengu was the "karasu" or "crow" Tengu. Portrayed as an evil crow-like creature with the body of a man, it was capable of kidnapping adults and children, starting fires, and ripping apart those who willfully damaged the forest, for the Tengu live in trees. Sometimes, too, the Tengu would abduct human beings, only to release them later, but the "lucky" survivor would return home in a state of dementia (called "Tengu Kakushi, meaning "hidden by a Tengu").
Yamabushi Tengu (Mountain Monk)
Over the centuries, the Tengu becomes more human in appearance and takes on a protective role in the affairs of men. The Tengu can transform itself into a man, woman, or child, but its prefered disquise is to appear as a barefooted, wandering, elderly mountain hermit or monk (yamabushi) with an extremely long nose. Both the magical tanuki (badger) and oinari (fox) can also change to human form, and in some Japanese traditions these two creatures are actually considered to be animal manifestations of Tengu.
The Yamabushi Tengu comes in two flavors -- the long-nosed goblin with human face or the beak-nosed goblin with human face.
The Buddhist Connection
Why the Long Nose?
Tengu are always portrayed as having a mischievous sense of humor, for they love playing tricks on those they encounter, especially on pretentious and arrogant Buddhist priests and samurai. Indeed, by the late Kamakura Period, the Tengu become a major literary vehicle for criticising both established and nascent Buddhist sects (see RESOURCES below for more).
Yamabushi Tengu, Image from
www.mangajin.comThe long nose relates to the Tengu's hatred of arrogance and prejudice. Priests with no true knowledge, prideful individuals, those attached to fame, and those who willfully mislead or misuse the Buddhist cannons are turned into the long-nosed Yamabushi Tengu (or sent to Tengudo, the realm of the Tengu) after their deaths. Corrupt Buddhist monks and corrupt Buddhist monestaries were in fact a major concern throughout Japan's middle ages. Tengu are thus seen as protectors of the Dharma (Buddhist law), and punish those who mislead the people. Over time, the folklore of tengu and yamabushi become intertwined, and even the crow tengu (karasu tengu) begin wearing the robes and caps of priests.
THE TENGU IN JAPANESE ART
Yo****sune being trained by Sojobo, King of Tengu
by Yo****oshi Tsukioka (1838-1892)
SOJOBO, TENGU KING
In a well-known legend, the hero of medieval Japan, Minamoto Yo****sue, is trained in sword fighting by white-haired Sojobo, the Tengu King of Mt. Kurama, who befriends him. Yo****sune later becomes the great warrior of lore, helping his brother Yoritomo defeat the Taira Clan to establish the Kamakura Shogunate.
Courtesy Charles C. Goodin
