Tengu In Japanese Culture

The Tengu or “Demon Gods” are well respected throughout Japanese culture, and for good reason. These goblin-like creatures were said to watch over the mountains of Japan, but they wouldn’t be called demons if they didn’t strike fear into the people. Old stories suggest that random voices, unexplained rock falls, abductions, uncontrollable laughter and rage, and even suicides were caused by the Tengu. The most mysterious and unpredictable of the Tengu, was Karasu. Known as the Crow Demon, who controlled the sacred religious grounds of Mount. Kamakura; said to be the birthplace of Buddhism in Japan during the Sixth Century. Karasu represents the upsetting of the powers that ruled the lives of the Japanese. Essentially, if you did wrong, you
With skills such as these, it’s no wonder why he was feared. Draped in shaolin robes conjured up of the souls of his victims, and samurai armor finely crafted out of dead bone and flesh. Some of his victims were spared and given the essence of the art of Budo, a forbidden art only known by the Tengu. Professor S. Yumiko Hulvey of the University of Florida and California Berkeley said “Karasu-Tengu was very much feared and respected as far as Japanese Literature goes…” but Karasu is sighted in more than just Literature. He is heavily involved in Japanese religions such as Buddhism, Shintoism, Taoism, and Hinduism. Each religion respectfully describes the crow demon slightly different, but all share his violent affairs and overwhelming fear on the people. Shintoism refers to Karasu as a celestial being, almost god like. Similar to Shintoism, Taoism considers him the creator of everything good and bad in Japan, mostly things that have to do with war and combat; like Ares to the Greeks. There is a statue and temple dedicated to Karasu at the base of Mount Kamakura. Many people, even today, go there to pray and give offerings to the demon. Fearing he would come and kill them or even eat them. Although today in modern Japan, only elders still visit this temple for offerings to
The popular art forms of Manga Comics and Anime, are the main types the demon can be found. In the worldwide known manga and anime “Naruto”, created by Masashi Kishimoto; many characters use the crow and other martial arts or “jutsus” hinting towards Karasu. One character Itachi, has special attacks involving a possessed, red eyed crow. Itachi can even disperse into multiple crows. Some characters are less than subtle, one is directly named after Karasu. Resembling a crow man, Karasu is a puppet controlled by Kankuro. The anime Nura, portrays Karasu in his true form; a small crow Buddha, who teaches young samurai martial arts. He also gives high ranking samurai the wings of a crow, giving them an advantage in battle. The demon crow is even referenced in the American Film Industry. Famous actor Keanu Reeves, uses Karasu in the film “47 Ronin”, which Keanu directed. Keanu plays a ronin, a masterless samurai, who was taught demon arts by a bird like monk who lived in the forbidden forest. Keanu was abducted by the demon, and later returns to the demon, along with the other 46 ronin; seeking knowledge, skill, and Karasu’s famous unbreakable katana, capable of cutting through anything. Karasu later deceives some of the ronin into attacking mirages of himself, who seemed to be praying to a Buddha shrine. He kills them all quickly and without warning, in the presence of Keanu; but it was just a dream, a test