Tengu @ Haruna San

Tengu @ Haruna San

Yamabushi Tengu (Mountain Monk Tengu) or Long Nosed Goblin Mask

Def. #1: The tengu is a legendary figure in Japanese mythology, folklore and literature. The tengu may derive from the Hindu bird-deity, Garuda, but in Japan the tengu is usually associated with mischief.

Def.#2: Tengu; are mountain and forest goblins with both Shinto and Buddhist attributes. Their supernatural powers include shape-shifting into human or animal forms, the ability to speak to humans without moving their mouth, the magic of moving instantly from place to place without using their wings, and the sorcery to appear uninvited in the dreams of the living.

The patron of martial arts, the bird-like Tengu is a skilled warrior and mischief maker, especially prone to playing tricks on arrogant and vainglorious Buddhist priests, and to punishing those who willfully misuse knowledge and authority to gain fame or position. In bygone days, they also inflicted their punishments on vain and arrogant samurai warriors. They dislike braggarts, and those who corrupt the Dharma (law).

Location: Haruna Temple near Haruna Lake and Ikaho, Kyushu Japan