A Superb Old Japanese Tengu Figure Dated 1742 (18th Century) Japan

A Superb Old Japanese Tengu Figure Dated on the back 1742

This finely carved antique Japanese Tengu Figure dating from the 18th Century as on the back of the figure is written in Japanese Kanji 江戸期の寛保二年壬戌 (Edo Period – Kanpo Second Year) or in English 1742

Tengu is a type of legendary creature found in Japanese folk religion. They are considered a type of supernatural beings or Shinto kami (gods).  Tengu was originally thought to take the forms of birds of prey, and they are traditionally depicted with both human and avian characteristics. The earliest tengu were pictured with beaks, but this feature has often been humanized as an unnaturally long nose, which today is widely considered the Tengu’s defining characteristic in the popular imagination. They are also thought to have been influenced by the Garuda a legendary bird or bird-like Deity in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology, and by Sarutahiko Ōkami, a native Shinto deity.

This Tengu is standing on a carved alter and the back of this figure has Kanji characters painted on the figure. I can’t read it but if you can I would be pleased to hear from you about what was written on the back beside the date.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Japanese and Asian Art

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