Tengu are bipedal Yōkai that have a mixture of human and birdlike features. Exact depictions vary. Earlier depictions like the one above depict them as having beaks. However, more modern depictions humanize their faces. More humanlike tengu are often depicted as having red skin and long noses that are meant to resemble beaks. Regardless of their exact appearance, tengu are thought to be excessively proud or ambitious people who have died.
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Tengu are known for carrying fans made out of feathers. They use these fans to create windstorms. In some stories, tengu can also use their fan to alter the size of a person's nose.
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Tengu can be either good or evil. Evil ones are known for causing trouble for buddhist priests and temples. When they target young boys, they often return them. Meanwhile, adults are left tied to the tops of trees. Tengu leave their victims in a state of madness or close to death. They have also been said to set temples on fire.
Good tengu are considered to be very protective. Instead of menacing buddhist temples, they will protect and bless them. They are also thought to protect mountains and forests. Beware, even when tengu are not malicious, they can still be dangerous.
FUN FACT: In tales that include both birdlike and humanlike tengu, the varieties exist in a caste system in which the humanlike tengu are considered superior to their birdlike counterparts.
Examples in various media:
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Kurama (Kamisama Kiss)
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Karatenmon (Digimon)
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