Sōjōbō
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In Japanese folklore and mythology, Sōjōbō is the mythical king and god of the tengu, legendary creatures thought to inhabit the mountains and forests of Japan. Sōjōbō is a specific type of tengu call
Sojobo King of the Tengu LACMA AC1995.206.1
Tengu statue at Mount Kurama
Despite his fearsome appearance and the tengu's reputation for causing trouble, Sōjōbō is portrayed as a benevolent figure.
Shows the physical differences between the single figure of the more human-like daitengu and group of bird-like kotengu
Mount Kurama
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Mount Kurama is a mountain to the north of the Japanese city of Kyoto. It is the birthplace of the Reiki practice, and is said to be the home of Sōjōbō, King of the Tengu.
Sōjōbō
…and claws. The other distinctive physical characteristics of Sōjōbō include his long, white hair and unnaturally long nose. Sōjōbō is said to live on Mount Kurama. He rules over the other tengu that inhabit Mount Kurama in addition to all the other tengu in Japan. He is extremely powerful, and one legend says he…
Shrine at Kurama Temple
Main Gate of Kurama Temple
A close-up of the main gate of Kurama Temple