The Tengu Hall of Kokokuji Temple 興国寺天狗堂

Official explanation

The Tengu Hall (Tengudo) of Kokokuji Temple is dedicated to a legendary tengu that is believed to have rebuilt the temple in a single night following a catastrophic fire. Tengu are bird-like goblins described in traditional folk tales and literature. They are often depicted with avian characteristics such as wings and a beak, and some of the most powerful are portrayed carrying magical uchiwa fans made of feathers.

The large tengu mask that is displayed behind the altar is the centerpiece of the hall. It measures 2.4 meters tall and 2.7 meters wide and was carved by a pair of puppetmakers from Kyoto. It has large black pupils set in golden-colored eyes, which contrasts with its bold, red face and elongated nose. The tengu’s gaze appears to focus on worshippers as they step before the altar. A large painted wooden uchiwa positioned to the side of the altar accompanies the mask.

Read the full explanation

The reason a tengu is worshiped at the temple is because of its connection to a local legend. After a fire burned the temple complex to the ground, a wandering monk came from the nearby mountains and offered assistance, promising to rebuild the temple on the condition that the temple priests and villagers go home and remain there until dawn. On waking the next day, they discovered the temple had been rebuilt but found no trace of the monk. They concluded that this feat could only be the work of an almighty tengu, which must have disguised itself as a human.

This legend is kept alive at Kokokuji through the Tengu Hall and a tengu festival held annually in January. The festival is held on the second Monday of the month and features processions with participants dressed as tengu, dances of worship, and other rituals.

出典: 地域観光資源の多言語解説文データベース（観光庁） — www.mlit.go.jp/tagengo-db. この英語解説文は観光庁の地域観光資源の多言語解説整備支援事業で作成しました。
Source: Japan Tourism Agency, Multilingual Explanation Database. This English text was produced by the Japan Tourism Agency's multilingual explanation project and is shown unedited. Opening hours and services may have changed since it was written.