Tengu facts for kids
Tengu are amazing creatures from Japanese folklore. They are often seen as part-human, part-bird. Sometimes they look like a human with a very long nose or a beak. Tengu are powerful beings who live deep in the mountains and forests of Japan. They are known for their wisdom, but also for playing tricks!
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What are Tengu?
Tengu are a type of yōkai, which are supernatural beings in Japanese stories. Their name means "heavenly dog," but they don't look like dogs at all! They are usually shown with red faces and long noses. They also have wings, which let them fly through the sky.
Different Kinds of Tengu
There are two main types of Tengu. The first is the Karasu Tengu (Crow Tengu). These Tengu have a body like a human but the head and wings of a crow. They have sharp beaks and claws. They are often shown as fierce warriors.
The second type is the Yamabushi Tengu (Mountain Priest Tengu). These Tengu look more human. They have long, red faces and a very long nose. They wear the clothes of a yamabushi, who are mountain hermits or priests. These Tengu are often seen as wise and powerful.
Where Do Tengu Live?
Tengu prefer to live in remote, mountainous areas. They are often found in old, sacred forests. These places are usually far away from human cities. They are believed to protect these natural areas. Many shrines in Japan are dedicated to Tengu.
Tengu in Japanese Stories
Tengu appear in many old Japanese legends and tales. In some stories, they are seen as protectors. They might help good people or punish the wicked. They are also known for their incredible skills in martial arts.
Tengu and Martial Arts
One famous story tells of a young hero named Minamoto no Yoshitsune. When he was a boy, he was sent to live in a temple on Mount Kurama. It is said that the Tengu of Mount Kurama taught him how to fight. They taught him sword fighting and strategy. This training helped Yoshitsune become a legendary warrior.
Tengu are sometimes tricky. They might kidnap people and then release them. They might also cause strange winds or fires. But they are not always evil. They can also be teachers and guardians.
Tengu Today
Even today, Tengu are an important part of Japanese culture. You can see their images in temples and shrines. They are popular characters in manga, anime, and video games. People still tell stories about these mysterious mountain spirits. They remind us of the power and mystery of nature.
Images for kids
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Kobayakawa Takakage debating with the tengu of Mount Hiko, by Yoshitoshi. The tengu's nose protrudes just enough to differentiate him from an ordinary yamabushi.
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Tengu as a kite-like monster, from Toriyama Sekien's Gazu Hyakki Yakō
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Iga no Tsubone confronts the tormented spirit of Sasaki no Kiyotaka, by Yoshitoshi. Sasaki's ghost appears with the wings and claws of a tengu.
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Crow Tengu, late Edo period (28×25×58 cm)
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A tengu mikoshi (portable shrine) in the city of Beppu, Ōita Prefecture, on Kyūshū.
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An elephant and a flying tengu, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
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Ushiwaka-maru training with the tengu of Mount Kurama, by Kunitsuna Utagawa. This subject is very common in ukiyo-e.
See also
In Spanish: Tengu para niños
