Mt. Kashōかしょうざん

The Kasho Tengu distinctively stands apart from the common noun "tengu"; it is an entity unique to Kashozan Miroku-ji. At its core lies an actual historical high monk, the Venerable Chūhōson. This reflects a "monk-deification type" of tengu faith, wherein a holy man with superhuman ascetic powers settled into the mountain as a tengu (an incarnation of Kasho Buddha) after his death. Its ranking as one of the Three Great Tengu of Japan (alongside those of Mount Takao and Kurama), the boastfully largest Great Tengu mask in the country, and the unique votive custom of borrowing a mask and returning two the following year distinguish this tengu from other mountain tengu. Combined with its historical prestige as a prayer site for the Tokugawa family, the Kasho Tengu is deeply rooted in the Numata region as a tengu of worldly benefits, governing victory in battle, traffic safety, and the fulfillment of all wishes.