Are Tengu demons?
Robert Clark
Published Jan 04, 2026
Buddhism long held that the Tengu were disruptive demons and harbingers of war. Their image gradually softened, however, into one of protective and even manifestations of Buddhist deities, if still dangerous, spirits of the mountains and forests.
Is the Tengu evil?
Role in Shintoism and BuddhismOriginally, tengu were seen as evil spirits that caused destruction wherever they went. Buddhist practices taught they were demons and tricksters who opposed Buddha. The early tales were recorded in the Koniaku Monogatarishu, published during the late Heian period.