FR EN
1 / 3
an image of a statue of a man ' s facean image of a clay mask on a black backgrounda close up of a wooden mask on a black background
Premium FRANCOIS EPIN ART & DESIGN CONSULTING

22 - KARASU-TENGU MASK
See original version (French)

Estimate €3,000 - €4,000
Sale commission
Description
KARASU-TENGU MASK Wood and pigments Edo period, 19th century The karasu-tengu (烏天狗) — where karasu (烏) means ‘crow’ and tengu (天狗) means ‘celestial spirit’ or ‘mountain demon ’ — represents the original form of the tengu, characterised by a bestial face, a long hooked beak and a fierce expression. A small carved sphere at the tip of the beak is interpreted, depending on the view, as either an air bubble or a symbolic pearl (nyoi-hōju), a magical sphere associated with wisdom and vital energy. This detail emphasises the powerful breath and spiritual strength attributed to the tengu. These masks were used in dengaku and sangaku, folk arts dating back to the Middle Ages, as well as in ritual dances performed in temples and shrines, particularly within Shugendō and mountain cults. As the protector of the mountains and ascetics (yamabushi), and a master of the sword and martial arts, the karasu-tengu also appears in legends as the mentor of human heroes. However, his formidable power can turn against those who offend him. In Esoteric Buddhism and Shugendō, he is revered as a spiritual guardian, sometimes perceived as the wrathful manifestation of Buddhist deities. Note: The small sphere at the tip of the karasu-tengu’s beak is sometimes interpreted as an air bubble or a magic pearl (nyoi-hōju), a symbol of the breath of life or esoteric wisdom. This motif is mentioned in Japanese literature on Shugendō and tengu-men; see: Miyamoto Tsuneichi, *Tengu no kenkyū*, Yoshikawa Kōbunkan, 1969; Murayama Shūichi, *Shugendō no kamigami*, Kadokawa Shoten, 1991; *Catalogue of Buddhist Ritual Masks*, Nara National Museum, 2003; *Tengu Exhibition*, Kurama-dera, Kyoto, 2015.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale Art Animation VII: Monsters, Villains and Antagonists
Auction location
Auction time 10/18/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like