Japanese Carved Wood and Lacquer Gigaku Karura Tengu Mask

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Japanese carved wood and lacquer Karasu Tengu mask. A finely carved Noh mask in polychrome, lacquered wood with an Ink … Read more Japanese carved wood and lacquer Karasu Tengu mask. A finely carved Noh mask in polychrome, lacquered wood with an Ink on paper inscription on the inside of the mask, with a wire hanger. Circa Meiji era or earlier.

Karasu tengu, literally “crow tengu,” have the beak of a crow. Like daitengu, they can fly freely and are known for their skill in swordsmanship. One famous legend from Mount Kurama tells that the karasu tengu taught swordsmanship to the young Minamoto no Yoshitsune (then called Ushiwakamaru). One of the most famous noh plays with the tengu character is “Kurama Tengu” (鞍馬天狗), where a tengu teaches the main character secret tactics and war strategies. See less