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Tengu

Tengu · The Japanese Mountain Yokai — Master of Martial Arts and Punisher of Pride

A yokai dwelling in Japan's deep mountains. With a crow's head or a red face and long nose, and wings on its back. A master of swordsmanship, martial arts, and supernatural power, it tests ascetics in the mountains or imparts secret arts. It punishes arrogant monks and warriors, yet teaches secret techniques to the humble — an ambivalent being.

Origin

The Chinese tengu tradition passed to Japan and merged with mountain worship and Shugendo. From the originally bird-formed crow tengu, the later daitengu image with a red face and long nose was added.

Features

Crow's head or red face and long nose, wings
Master of swordsmanship, martial arts, supernatural power
Dwells in deep mountains, tests ascetics
Punishes the arrogant, teaches the humble

Stories

Appears as a master of martial arts, a tester who punishes pride, and a guardian of the mountain. A symbolic yokai of Japanese-flavored narratives dealing with ascetic training and arrogance, teaching and trial.

Weakness

With strong pride, it is easily drawn into provocation and contests of arrogance. Before the Buddhist dharma, mantras, and sincere humility, its power breaks.