Tengu is mountain and forest goblin with supernatural powers, like 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.
Tengu are legendary kami (gods) in Japanese mythology with deep roots in the folklore surrounding the mysticism of Ninjutsu’s inception. The actual translation of the word tengu means “heavenly dog,” though they are never depicted with any dog-like characteristics in Japanese culture.
Buddhism historically consider them to be demons, forebearers of war, messengers of dieties and even Buddhas to punish evildoers and protect the righteous. Many are seen carrying a hauchiwa (Japanese feather fan), to fan away misfortune and bring in the good. They live in secluded colonies with one tengu as their leader served by messenger tengu.
According to legend, Tengu took the form of a yamabushi and faithfully served the abbot of a Zen monastery until the man guessed his attendant's true form. Tengu's wings and huge nose then reappeared. Tengu requested a piece of wisdom from his master and left, but he continued, unseen, to provide the monastery with miraculous aid.
Yamabushi Tengu (Mountain Monk) - over the centuries Tengu becomes more human in appearance and takes on a protective role in the affairs of men. He can transform itself into a man, woman, or child, but its prefered disquise is to appear as a barefooted, wandering, elderly mountain hermit or monk with an extremely long nose. Both the magical tanuki and oinari can also change to human form, and in some Japanese traditions these two creatures are actually considered to be animal manifestations of Tengu.
The long nose relates to Tengu’s hatred of arrogance and prejudice. Priests with no true knowledge, prideful individuals, those attached to fame, and those who willfully mislead or misuse the Buddhist cannons are turned into the long-nosed Yamabushi Tengu after their deaths. Corrupt Buddhist monks and corrupt Buddhist monestaries were in fact a major concern throughout Japan’s middle ages. Tengu are thus seen as protectors of the Dharma, and punish those who mislead the people. Over time, the folklore of tengu and yamabushi become intertwined, and even the crow tengu begin wearing the robes and caps of priests.
