Daitengu

Daitengu are a class of powerful supernatural beings found in Japanese folklore. Often depicted as bird-like humanoids with red faces, long noses, and wings, they are associated with mountains and forests. While sometimes benevolent protectors of nature, daitengu are also known for their mischievous and even malicious tendencies. They are said to possess great magical abilities, including shape-shifting, conjuring winds, and manipulating illusions. The most powerful among them, known as daidaitengu, are considered to be exceptionally wise and skilled in martial arts and esoteric knowledge. Legends frequently portray them as teachers or tempters of humans, often leading ascetics or monks astray with their cunning or, conversely, imparting profound wisdom to those deemed worthy. Their image has evolved over time, with earlier depictions leaning more towards avian characteristics and later ones emphasizing their human-like features and prominent noses, which became a defining trait.