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Tengu

The Tengu are a class of supernatural beings, or yōkai, found in Japanese folklore. They are often depicted with the features of both humans and birds, particularly crows or goblins, and are known for their mischievous and sometimes malevolent behavior. The term "Tengu" translates to טנגו in Hebrew. In other languages, they are known as 天狗 (Tian Gou) in Chinese and 텐구 (Ten-gu) in Korean. Tengu are typically portrayed as long-nosed goblins or as more bird-like creatures with human features. They are often associated with mountains and forests and are said to inhabit remote areas. Tengu are known for their supernatural abilities, including shape-shifting, flight, and supernatural strength. They are also associated with martial arts and are sometimes depicted as protectors of certain shrines or as bringers of good fortune. However, they can also be depicted as tricksters who lead travelers astray or cause various forms of mischief. The depiction of Tengu varies widely across different regions and periods of Japanese history, reflecting their complex and multifaceted role in Japanese folklore.

Wikipedia Information
Tengu
Type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion
Tengu
Tengu are a type of legendary creature found in Shinto belief. They are considered a type of yōkai or Shinto kami. The Tengu were originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey and a monkey deity, and they were traditionally depicted with human, monkey, and avian characteristics. Sarutahiko Ōkami is considered to be the original model of Konoha-Tengu, which today is widely considered the Tengu's defining characteristic in the popular imagination. He is the Shinto monkey deity who is said to shed light on Heaven and Earth. Some experts theorize that Sarutahiko was a sun god worshiped in the Ise region prior to the popularization of Amaterasu.
Last modified: 2025-10-03T21:45:49ZView full article on Wikipedia