Karasu Tengu (Crow Tengu), Ōhara Donshū

Exhibition Label:
"Nature/Natural," Feb-2011, Kris Ercums
Tengu, translated literally as “Heavenly Dogs”, are mountain goblins believed to have the ability to possess people and disguise themselves as humans. The name tengu probably comes from Chinese folkloric creatures called tiangou, described as fox-like monsters. Although representations of tengu vary throughout history, they mainly take two forms. They often take the form of yamabushi, mountain hermits who practiced asceticism and secret rituals as part of a Japanese religious tradition called Shugendō. In this form, tengu have human physiques, long noses and feathered wings. The other form depicts tengu, with crow-like features such as a bird’s head and beak. In this painting, dressed in monk’s robes and holding a staff with nine rings, a yamabushi tengu transforms into the founder of Shugendō, En no Gyōja. He leads a group of smaller tengu wearing straw sandals and leggings. The artist creates a sense of playfulness by using impromptu brushstrokes and bold ink washes.

Archive Label date unknown:
Tengu were believed to have special powers which enabled them to change into the form of other beings. According to the innumerable legends that grew up about tengu, they frequently transformed themselves into mountain ascetics in order to delude people. Here a long-nosed tengu is dressed in the guise of En no Gyoja, a legendary figure considered to be the founder of a mountain-climbing religious sect in Japan called Shugendo. En no Gyoja is typically shown wearing monk's robes, carrying a staff with feet firmly planted on a rocky platform. Tengu often took the form of birds as well; thus, the surrounding half-man, half-bird figures are also mountain goblins. They wear the leggings and sandals of mountain priests, and their unruly conduct suggests that they are heartily enjoying their dual roles.

This painting was more casually brushed than other Donshū works, perhaps because of the light-hearted nature of the theme. His free, playful brushwork here is appropriate for the subject, and has the appearance of being done in a burst of exhilaration. The silk mounting also adds an unusual touch since the tree designs have been hand painted.

Archive Label:
The long-nosed tengu standing on the rocky platform is dressed in the guise of En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of the religious mountain-climbing sect called Shugendo. In his right hand he holds a staff with nine metal rings at the top which serves both as a walking stick and a magical tool. He is surrounded by other tengu who wear the leggings and straw sandals of mountain priests. These smaller tengu appear in the form of half-man, half-bird, with beaks instead of long noses. The silk mounting adds an unusual touch; the tree designs (appropriate to the tengu theme) have been handpainted.