Tengu

Tengu are legendary beings in Japanese folklore, traditionally associated with mountains and forests. They are often depicted as yōkai or mischievous spirits with avian features, though their nature ranges from trickster to protective deity. They figure prominently in medieval and later folklore, art, and theater.

The name tengu combines kanji meaning heaven and dog (天狗), but its exact origin is uncertain. Some scholars connect it to the Chinese tiān gǒu (heavenly dog); others link it to early Japanese concepts of celestial or winged beings. Tales likely emerged in Heian period Buddhist and folk traditions and gradually shifted from malevolent spirits to more nuanced figures.

There are two broad forms commonly described: daitengu (great tengu) and karasu-tengu (crow tengu). Great tengu are often red-faced and long-nosed, appearing humanoid with birdlike traits or wings. Crow tengu are typically depicted with black plumage and a beak, sometimes with a hooded cape. Regional variations exist, and some tengu resemble bumptious hermits or mountain novices (yamabushi).

Tengu are skilled in martial arts and are frequently portrayed as masters of swordplay and archery. They guard sacred mountains and are associated with Shugendō ascetic practices. In myths, they test and sometimes train humans; the legendary leader of the tengu is Sojōbō, who is said to have tutored the warrior Minamoto no Yoshitsune at Mount Kurama.

In art and literature, tengu appear in Noh drama, ukiyo-e prints, and later popular culture, where they remain enduring symbols of the forest, cunning, and martial prowess. Contemporary portrayals often draw on traditional imagery, balancing fear and respect for these enigmatic beings.