Tengu
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- For the bird-like creatures also called "Tengu," see Karasutengu.
Tengu (
Name
The Tengu's name literally translates to "heavenly dog," typically using the old-fashioned kanji 狗 which has since been mostly replaced in Japanese by 犬.
Tengu are most often divided into two categories: the red, long-nosed Tengu which are sometimes designated "Daitengu" or "Ōtengu" (大天狗, lit. large tengu), and the crow-like avian Tengu, called Karasutengu (烏天狗 or 鴉天狗, lit. crow tengu).
Design
The Tengu which appears in Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka resembles typical modern depictions of Tengu, with red skin and a long nose, a tokin on his forehead, and geta sandals. He has medium-length dark gray hair and wears a black undercoat with a golden vest-like garment and light blue gloves and tights.
History
Showa era
Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare
While the Tengu wasn't part of the main group of yokai that first attempted to fight Daimon, when Daimon's weakness was found and he cloned himself multiple times, at least two Tengu, along with many of Japan's other natural yokai and spirits, rushed to fight the invading Babalonian monster.
Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka
"The Tengu's Magic Cloak"
As Nyudo walked along a grassy plain, he was shocked to see a pair of geta sandals walking toward a patch of trees as if by magic. Suddenly, a floating blue glove appeared before him, prompting him to believe it a yokai and charging at it with his club. However, as he swung at the hand, it disappeared. Turning around, Nyudo was hit on the back of the head by a stick, causing him to shout out for Kotaro before falling to the ground. After Nyudo explained the situation to Kotaro, who walked away after not seeing anything, the sandals reappeared before again disappearing, as did the glove shortly after. Determined, Nyudo swung at the trees again before being shoved and hearing a voice talking with him. Frantically, he began to run around swinging at the air before eventually falling to the ground and crawling away in fright. An amused Tengu then appeared grasping a straw cloak, which had granted it the ability to become invisible. Hanging the cloak on a nearby fence, he sat down to relax. Taking notice, Coonjo appeared a short ways away, plotting to steal the cloak for herself. Walking toward the fence holding a long stick, she used it to pull the cloak toward herself as the Tengu continued to sit in the grass. Coonjo later used the Tengu's magic cloak in a brief confrontation with Kotaro, but was ultimately defeated.
Heisei era
The Great Yokai War
A Tengu was one of the first yokai to assist in the great war, training the main protagonist.
Abilities
Magic cloak
While the Tengu which appears in Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka was not shown to possess any physical abilities, he carried a magic cloak (隠れみの kakuremino) made of straw which could turn any part of him invisible.
Video games
- Konami Wai Wai World (1988) - Nintendo Famicom
Konami Wai Wai World
Tengu appear in the second stage of Konami Wai Wai World, called Edo Stage, as naturally-occurring enemies alongside several other creatures based after yokai.
Tengu in the Konami Wai Wai World instruction manual
Tengu's sprite in Konami Wai Wai World
Selected filmography
- Godzilla (1954) [mask]
- Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare (1968)
- Go! Kotaro Ushiwaka (TV 1974-1975) [1 episode]
- The Great Yokai War (2005)
Gallery
- Main article: Tengu/Gallery.
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