Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun a mythical Japanese creature, typically birdlike and having a long nose

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word tengu.

Examples

  • The yamabushi (which were real) were heavily influenced by esoteric Buddhism, and the tengu (legendary bird/man creatures with magical powers) were often said to be transformed or reincarnated monks, or in those stories where the tengu was a natural creature, was itself a practitioner of shugendou like practices.

    Another Nail in the Ninja Coffin 2005

  • And from Japanese Buddhist mythology: the tengu … harbingers of death and war (they later became nature spirits).

    Think Progress » Who Is Randy ‘Baby Killer’ Neugebauer? 2010

  • But all is not as it seems, as the man claims he is no monk and seeks to strike a deal with tengu.

    September 6th, 2008 douglascohen 2008

  • This one is an Asian fantasy about a man seeking enlightenment who crosses paths with a goblin known as a tengu.

    September 6th, 2008 douglascohen 2008

  • The tengu agrees to the man's proposal, but still all is not as it seems.

    September 6th, 2008 douglascohen 2008

  • The Buddhists have a long-held, slightly less charming view that tengu are actually highly disruptive demons and harbingers of war.

    Tengu, Santa Monica - Drinking Poison Straight from the Devil's Goblet 2007

  • RiChan deceo cumplido! ahora te toca cumplir tu parte del tratuu. .y mi nu hacer na para ayudar! xD tengu par de cosas para escribir ettoo. .dividiendo en dos nyaaa. .nya? x3

    crazydark Diary Entry crazydark 2007

  • In the Robin Hood story, Little John knocks Robin Hood off the bridge, but then becomes one of his Merry Men; in the Japanese story, Yoshitsune is trained by tengu in supernatural fighting skills, so even though he is small, he is able to defeat Benkei, who is quite large, on the bridge, and then Benkei becomes his right-hand man.

    Sunflowers, Robin Hood and Yoshitsune asakiyume 2006

  • I've convinced grandfather that you are a god, or at least a mountain goblin, a tengu, one of the magical warriors who are worshiped by our clan for their martial skill.

    Home Is the Hunter Dana Kramer-Rolls 2000

  • NATURE IN SHORT/The long-nosed connection between yatsude and tengu

    WN.com - Articles related to At eco-minded Dallas flower shop, a custom arrangement 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.