Japanese heroic legend, Davis retelling
King of the Tengu
While practising with a wooden sword, Yoshitsune encounters a winged giant during a thunderstorm. The stranger identifies himself as King of the Tengu and admires the boy's perseverance. He becomes a teacher whose lessons give Yoshitsune the agility later used against Benkei.
Also known as Tengu King · Yoshitsune's mountain teacher
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In the sources
A formidable mountain visitor
TraditionalDavis describes a giant with a long red nose, glaring eyes, bird-like claws and feathered wings. Yoshitsune stands his ground and learns that the stranger is King of the Tengu.
A teacher drawn by perseverance
TraditionalThe king says he admires Yoshitsune's perseverance and offers instruction in swordsmanship. The boy learns to defeat numerous small tengu, acquiring agility used in the following encounter with Benkei.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows Davis's particular teacher episode, not every tradition about tengu. His description of mountain elves is an English comparison within the retelling, rather than a universal equivalence.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
a long red nose and enormous glaring eyesOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter II, printed p. 41
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0046
- Original scan leaf
- 55
- Recorded leaf number
- 55
- Current Reader position
- 45
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
teaching him all that was to be learnt in the art of swordsmanship.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter II, printed p. 42
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0047
- Original scan leaf
- 56
- Recorded leaf number
- 56
- Current Reader position
- 46
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed