_G002114
「慢心は損害を招き、謙虚は利益を受ける。天狗になるとミスを犯し、謙虚になれば協力を得る」– 孔子『書経』
The big Tengu-head at the arrival of JR Takao station. Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. © Michele Marcolin, 2023. GR3
[Arrogance causes harm, humility benefits. If you are a tengu, you make mistakes, if you re humble, you get help] - Confucius' Book of Sutras
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Tengu, in Japanese folklore, is a type of mischievous supernatural being, sometimes considered the reincarnated spirit of one who was proud and arrogant in life. Tengu are renowned swordsmen and are said to have taught the military arts to the Minamoto Yoshitsune. They live in trees in mountainous areas. A group of tengu is headed by a chief, who is depicted with a prominent nose, angry and threatening expression, dressed in red robes and carrying a feather fan. He is served by a group of retainers called koppa tengu (“leaflet” tengu) who act as his messengers. In popular art they are shown as smaller winged creatures with long red noses or beaklike mouths.
Mt Takao has long been associated with the Tengu - since about the 14th century - through its ties with the practice of mountain asceticism. Tengu - which in an early stage of their history were considered disruptive entities against Buddism - had the reputation of teasing particulalry ascetic monks whe were in search for illumination. Later developments saw the Tengu as keeper of Mt. Takao and guardians agains any evil doers. Even to this day, you can see Tengu iconography all over Mt. Takao.
To know more in details about Tengu, here you can find all the fundamentals: www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/t/tengu.htm
_G002114
「慢心は損害を招き、謙虚は利益を受ける。天狗になるとミスを犯し、謙虚になれば協力を得る」– 孔子『書経』
The big Tengu-head at the arrival of JR Takao station. Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. © Michele Marcolin, 2023. GR3
[Arrogance causes harm, humility benefits. If you are a tengu, you make mistakes, if you re humble, you get help] - Confucius' Book of Sutras
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Tengu, in Japanese folklore, is a type of mischievous supernatural being, sometimes considered the reincarnated spirit of one who was proud and arrogant in life. Tengu are renowned swordsmen and are said to have taught the military arts to the Minamoto Yoshitsune. They live in trees in mountainous areas. A group of tengu is headed by a chief, who is depicted with a prominent nose, angry and threatening expression, dressed in red robes and carrying a feather fan. He is served by a group of retainers called koppa tengu (“leaflet” tengu) who act as his messengers. In popular art they are shown as smaller winged creatures with long red noses or beaklike mouths.
Mt Takao has long been associated with the Tengu - since about the 14th century - through its ties with the practice of mountain asceticism. Tengu - which in an early stage of their history were considered disruptive entities against Buddism - had the reputation of teasing particulalry ascetic monks whe were in search for illumination. Later developments saw the Tengu as keeper of Mt. Takao and guardians agains any evil doers. Even to this day, you can see Tengu iconography all over Mt. Takao.
To know more in details about Tengu, here you can find all the fundamentals: www.aisf.or.jp/~jaanus/deta/t/tengu.htm