Note: Tengu - Mountain Ascetics in Folklore

Tengu are a type of supernatural creature characterized by their red faces and long noses.

They wear the robes of mountain ascetics and walk in tall single-toothed wooden clogs, fly through the sky with wings on their backs, and wield various mystical powers.
These mystical beings have long captured the imagination with their aura of mystery and romance.

The name “tengu” first appears during the Asuka to Nara periods (late 7th to early 8th century), in the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, compiled in 720).
However, at that time, tengu were not depicted in the form we know today—they were more like celestial omens or shooting stars, originating from the Chinese “tian gou” (heavenly dog).

It wasn’t until the Heian period (10th to 12th century) that tengu began to take on their now-familiar appearance: red faces, long noses, and the appearance of mountain monks.
During this time, tengu became recognized as spiritual beings of the mountains, closely associated with Buddhism and shugendō (mountain asceticism), eventually solidifying their role as mysterious mountain dwellers.

The appearance described earlier generally applies to male tengu.
Female tengu, on the other hand, are often portrayed as beautiful women, a trend that began primarily in the Edo period (18th to 19th century) through folktales and fictional works.

In recent creative media, there are tengu who wear the traditional mask with these features, but whose actual face is indistinguishable from a human’s.
That is to say, the tengu mask has evolved from being a depiction of their face to a symbolic disguise.

In Japan, there are a few traditional mask types that are widely recognized.
One example is the fox mask worn by Misaki in this work, Like Water.
The tengu mask is another well-known example.

Even if you don’t recognize the name “tengu,” you may have seen their face before.
For instance, the character “Mr. Karate” from the Art of Fighting series wears a tengu mask.
Also, the character Bankotsubo, who appears in Dead or Alive 2 (released in 1999), is a tengu in the most traditional sense.

Incidentally, starting with Dead or Alive 5 (released in 2012), he is replaced by a beautiful woman known as Nyotengu—a female tengu character.

Now then, there are several locations in Japan known for their association with tengu.
One such place is Mount Takao, located in Hachioji, Tokyo.
Mount Takao is also known for having the steepest cable car in the world and its famous soba noodles, attracting many hikers who come to enjoy its seasonal natural beauty.

The name of the sake that appears in the story was taken from this mountain.

There is also a real sake brand called “Takao no Tengu” (“Tengu of Takao”).
Its name comes from the tengu legends of Mount Takao, which also appears in the story.
Of course, it wasn’t actually brewed by tengu—but if you’re curious, feel free to check it out.