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Giant Supernatural Creature Mask: Japan Photo of the Month (November 2011)

Photo of the Month

Giant Supernatural Creature Mask: Japan Photo of the Month (November 2011)

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Tengu mask in Kanzanji Temple, Shizuoka, Japan

November’s Japan Photo of the Month is from a weekend trip to an onsen hotel in west Shizuoka prefecture. Right by the hotel was an interesting area with a large Buddha statue on a hill and one even hidden in a cave! On the same hill is Kanzanji Temple. Inside the temple, I saw (actually how could I miss!) this…

Tengu mask in Kanzanji Temple, Shizuoka, Japan

Amazingly colourful, this is a temple for people to come and wish for success in love. Click the image for a larger version.

Originally I thought it was a mask used in kabuki (traditional Japanese play). However after some research, it is much more interesting than that!

The red-faced, long-nosed, as-tall-as-a-person sized mask is that of the Tengu.

Tengu are mythicaly creatures which over the centuries evolved from menacing demons to protective spirits. Tengu have a rich history deeply rooted in Chinese and Japanese religion. This one is wearing a small black cap (called a tokin) as they often mimic the appearance of priests.

This Tengu mask is most likely used in festivals or perhaps as a portable shrine.

You can read more about this interesting spirit at the Tengu Wikipedia page.

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Deano「ヂィノ」 Wormald

Your man in Japan, online since 2009. I used to live in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and travel to Japan at least once a year for three weeks.

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1 Comment

  1. Japan Australia December 2, 2011

    Very cool and colourful. Tengu (天狗) are supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore and worshiped as minor Shinto gods (kami).

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