Hello, I studied Japanese folklore during my university years. Today, we’ll delve deep into the legendary Japanese beings known as tengu. We’ll address intriguing questions like “Do tengu really exist?”, “What’s their relationship with Shugendo?”, and “What’s the Russian theory about tengu?”
What are Tengu?
Tengu are mysterious beings in Japanese folklore. They’re typically depicted with long noses, red faces, wearing feathered robes, and carrying fans. However, their appearance and nature have evolved over time and vary by region.
Evolution of Tengu Imagery
- Ancient times: Tengu as evil spirits bringing calamity
- Medieval period: Adversaries of Buddhism, embodiments of priestly arrogance
- Early modern period onwards: Mountain guardians, associated with ascetic practitioners
When I was a child, my grandfather’s stories about tengu aligned more with the third image – mountain guardians. He’d always say, “Remember to greet the tengu when you enter the mountains.”
Do Tengu Really Exist?
“Do tengu actually exist?” This is a common question. Scientifically speaking, there’s no evidence confirming their existence. However, the legends of tengu have fascinating origins.
Theories on Tengu Origins
- Personification of Natural Phenomena: Strange mountain sounds or lights attributed to tengu.
- Encounters with Unknown Creatures: Possible misidentification of large birds of prey as tengu.
- Exaggeration of Ascetic Practitioners: Mountain ascetics’ appearances becoming legendary.
During my student fieldwork in a mountain village, I collected testimonies of people hearing “tengu flutes” at night. Later, we discovered these were actually owl calls, highlighting the close relationship between nature and legend.
Relationship with Shugendo?
The connection between tengu and Shugendo (a syncretic religion) is profound and has attracted much scholarly attention.
Tengu and Shugendo Connections
- Similar Appearances: Resemblance between ascetics’ attire and tengu imagery.
- Mountain Training: Ascetics’ mountain practices and tengu’s mountain dwelling.
- Supernatural Abilities: Similarities between ascetics’ spiritual powers and tengu’s mystical abilities.
My mentor used to say, “Tengu are idealized versions of ascetic practitioners.” Indeed, the image of a seasoned ascetic overlaps significantly with the superhuman tengu.
The Russian Theory?
One intriguing theory about tengu origins is the “Russian theory,” which has sparked much debate.
Overview of the Russian Theory
- Suggests that shipwrecked Russians in the Edo period were mistaken for tengu.
- Points out similarities between Western facial features and tengu characteristics like long noses and red faces.
While interesting, this theory can’t explain all tengu legends due to their long history. However, it might have influenced tengu imagery in the Edo period and later.
Other Tengu Origin Theories
There are several other fascinating theories about tengu origins:
- Connection to Chinese Tiangou Star: Influence from ancient Chinese astrology.
- Relation to Indian Garuda: Mythological transmission alongside Buddhism.
- Deification of Hunters: Theory modeling tengu after mountain-dwelling hunters.
These theories suggest that tengu legends formed from a mixture of various elements rather than a single origin.
Conclusion: What Tengu Teach Us
While the existence of tengu remains unproven, these beings are undeniably deeply rooted in Japanese culture and spirituality.
Tengu embody people’s reverence for nature, fascination with the supernatural, and aspirations for spiritual growth. Even in modern times, tengu legends offer valuable insights.
The next time you visit mountains or forests, pay attention to your surroundings. Who knows? A tengu might be watching over you.
Why not explore the rich world of Japanese legends yourself? You might discover hidden meanings beneath these fascinating tales.
