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
had to answer to Karasu.
In Japanese Legend, Karasu is said to be the creator of the oldest form of hand to hand combat, Martial Arts.
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
Karasu.
The demon was rarely seen by the people of Japan, but legend says they only visited mortals in thought and dreams. The most horrific encounter with the demon, is the folktale The Not Appreciating Student. The samurai and the ninja believed they got their power and skill from Karasu. One ninja student, was given similar skills and abilities of a Tengu Master. After gaining the skills, he left the academy and began forcing his power upon the surrounding villages, slaughtering everyone who defied him. On a blood thirsty war path, the ninja made his way to Shikoku; the most populated area in the region at the time. He wanted full control of the town. After slaughtering a third of the citizens, Karasu took his powers away and supposedly possessed the townspeople to unleash horrible tortures upon the ninja. It is said that the ninja was forced to live with the pain and still resides in the bamboo forests of Japan. Occasionally Karasu would apply his own personal massacres on mountain villages. Essentially abducting the women, making them his “love” slaves, killing the men, slicing the backs of elders with his katana blade, and taking the boys and turning them into demon warriors. The rare survivor of these attacks, said to have seen “a black haze, pools of blood, and the screams of their friends and family”. These events influenced many Samurai to make a crow like mask and dark Crimson armor, in order to strike fear into their enemies; making them think they were demon warriors, but who could know for sure.
Japanese art and media today, refers to Karasu in many different forms.
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
for the ronin to see if they were worthy enough for such weapons. It just goes to show the world known popularity of the Crow Demon.
Any expert in Japanese culture or literature can tell you the impact Karasu, and the Tengu had on the shaping of Japan and several other Asian countries. Professor S. Yumiko Hulvey, Haruki Murakami, Kenzaburō Ōe, and others believe that the Tengu of legend began to fade from society around 1933, just before Japan modernized. Professor Hulvey stated “ During World War II, many Japanese platoons often named themselves after Karasu and other Japanese demons and ghouls. But as far as the Tengu and society as a whole, the connection between man and the demon was rapidly diminishing”. Much like our biblical stories, the new youthful generation is turning away from the religious lifestyle, and focusing more on social media and other splendors. Ancient biblical texts, monuments, and historical documents are all that remain of Karasu’s demonic legend.
Much like his victims, Karasu is dying. Not so much involved in popular culture, the crow demon still finds his way to mysteriously enter society. His unpredictability and ruthlessness is why he is still very much feared in old Japanese cultures. It just goes to show the veracity Karasu can unleash when the ancestors of people he once tormented, anger deities and the powers that rule Japan. Who knows, the crow demon could still be causing terror in Japan; He could be living in your city, your neighborhood, and even your home. So now, whenever you see a crow, you have good reason to walk the other way or show respect, before Karasu makes you, his next victim.