|
Amaterasu
Susa-no-o
Orochi
Issun
Kaguya
Crow Tengu
Kappa
Fox Spirits
Konoha Tengu
Raiju
Thunder God
Momotaro
Oni Island
Sparrows
-------------------------
References
Conclusion
This website was created for informational purposes only.
Last Updated:11.27.06
|
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Benkei Fighting the Tengu (detail).
"In brief, the Tengu are minor divinities,
supreme in the art of fencing, and, indeed,
in the use of weapons generally" (Davis, 352).
The tengu, rather than being the central part of any single myth, show up instead as minor characters across a number of stories. They are more a collective entity than a single person, and appear from time to time to harass other characters or even teach them useful tricks. Michael Ashkenazi writes, "there are two types of tengu described. The sho-tengu (little, or minor, tengu), also called karasu-tengu (crow tengu), have the beaks and feathers of crows and their coloration" (271). In Okami, tengu--especially crow tengu--show up as enemies that must be defeated upon encountering them. Juliet Piggott corroborates Ashkenazi's description of the tengu by mentioning that "they are part bird and part man in appearance, winged with long beaks and noses," and that "they are good swordsmen" (61). Indeed, in Okami, players are advised to "be even quicker on the draw than them" (np).
Tengu appear as formidable enemies in the game (Okami, np).
Okami describes its tengu as such:
A creature comprised of the soul of a dead swordsman and a crow, this enemy strikes with the skill and artistry of a master samurai. They are often depicted as carrying fans. Cut down thrown fans and be even quicker on the draw than them. Swordsmanship better than their own makes them leave in disgrace. Tales speak of swordsmen cutting through their sword defense (np).
The game tells us that tengu tend to carry fans, which is evidenced by the following woodblock print:
Tsukioka Settei, Tengu on a Wild Boar
The tengu, besides obviously riding atop a boar, is also wielding what appears to be a fan in its right hand, which follows with Okami's description of the goblins. In the game, these fans are used in conjunction with swords to attack the player. Though tengu aren't necessarily depicted as evil in the myths in which they appear, in Okami they are presented exclusively as opponents, and players must overcome them to advance.
|
