The Kasho Tengu is a tengu enshrined at Mount Kasho, a sacred peak in Numata, Kōzuke Province (present-day Gunma Prefecture). It is counted among the "Three Great Tengu of Japan," alongside those of Mount Takao's Yakuō-in in Tokyo and Kurama-dera in Kyoto[1]. Its true identity is said to be Chūhōson (the Venerable Chūhō), a high-ranking disciple of Zen Master Tenson Keijun, who converted Miroku-ji to the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism. Endowed with supernatural powers, Chūhōson guided ascetic practitioners to the cavern at the temple gate and up precipitous rocky crags that no human could climb by ordinary means. Legend has it that he ascended to heaven as an incarnation of Kasho Buddha, leaving behind only a tengu mask[1]. Locals affectionately refer to Mount Kasho as "Tengu Mountain." The enormous "Great Tengu Mask" housed in the Chūhōdō hall—measuring 6.5 meters in length and featuring a 2.8-meter-tall nose—is famous as the largest tengu mask in Japan[2].
Folklore & Legends
According to temple tradition, Kashozan Ryuge-in Miroku-gokoku-ji was founded in the first year of Kasho (848) by Ennin (Jikaku Daishi) of the Tendai sect, though its actual establishment is believed to be from a later period[1]. In the second year of Kōshō (1456), Tenson Keijun revitalized the temple and converted it to the Sōtō sect. During the Edo period, it became a prayer site for Tokugawa Ieyasu, achieving the prestigious status of holding a red seal estate of 100 koku and the formatting equivalent of 100,000 koku[1].
At the center of the tengu faith here is Tenson's chief disciple, Chūhōson. The custom of dedicating tengu masks is said to have originated from the legend that this monk, who guided practitioners with his supernatural powers, ascended to heaven as an incarnation of Kasho Buddha and left a tengu mask behind[1]. Worshippers first borrow a tengu mask from the Chūhōdō and take it home; when they visit next time, they return the borrowed mask along with a newly purchased one from the temple gates, offering both to the temple before borrowing yet another mask. This unique custom of "borrowing and returning masks" continues to this day[1]. The Great Tengu Mask in the Chūhōdō was originally dedicated to pray for victory in battle and traffic safety. Additionally, the Zazendō (Meditation Hall) houses the "All Wishes Fulfilled Great Tengu," dedicated in 1983, which is paraded as a portable shrine during the Numata Festival[1]. Situated about 16 kilometers north of central Numata, Mount Kasho continues to draw worshippers as a sacred mountain of the tengu[2].
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.
Character Profile
This section is our own creative profile for storytelling. It is not historical fact or scholarship.
A strict yet compassionate master of asceticism (Shugendō). Unfazed by treacherous paths, he guides practitioners to greater heights. He grants miracles to those who make earnest vows, but shows no mercy to those who take their oaths lightly.
Supernatural powers to cross perilous paths beyond human capabilityGuiding ascetic practitioners to higher spiritual realmsGranting miracles for victory in battle, traffic safety, and the fulfillment of all wishesSpiritual power as an incarnation of Kasho Buddha
Weaknesses
The dishonesty of worshippers who lack faith, such as failing to return a borrowed tengu mask. His existence is bound within the strict framework of temple and Shugendō precepts.
Habitat
The Chūhōdō and Zazendō of Kashozan Ryuge-in Miroku-ji Temple, and the entirety of Mount Kasho (Tengu Mountain).
The diagram below is a diagnostic evaluation chart for Venerable Chuhoson, the Great Tengu of Mount Kasho. The higher the value of each item, the stronger that characteristic is expressed.
Meet your guardian yokai at the shrine
Draw an omikuji fortune and discover the yokai watching over you today.
