The Miraculous Water of the Tengu in 1903 #1
September 1965

Meiji Saju Rokunen Tengu no Reisui #1
[The Miraculous Water of the Tengu in 1903 #1]
38.0 x 53.9 cm Painting in Watercolors and Ink

The identity of the tengu (long-nosed goblin) was not established. It goes without saying that they are supernatural beings.
In the early summer of 1903, a rumor spread everywhere. The rumor said that Buzen-bo Tengu [enshrined in Mt. Hiko in Tagawa County] appeared in Akizuki, Asakura County, Fukuoka Prefecture and that the miraculous water springing out from the valley at the southern foot of Mt. Kosho, which was famous for its boxwood, would cure every disease. Mt. Hiko, as high as 1,200 meters above sea level, Mt. Omine in Yamato (Nara Prefecture), and Mt. Haguro in Dewa (Yamagata Prefecture) are the three major places of Japanese mountain asceticism called Shugendo (which tengus reportedly mastered). The Buzen-bo Tengu is considered as the first on the list of eight great tengus in Japan and the most famous, greatest, and most wonder-working deity. Someone must have led this deity from Mt. Hiko to Akizuki on business. This topic very much concerned coal pits and I will paint 5 paintings about it and show the detailed truth in the 5th one. In short, some people trifled with and made use of (nidashi ni shita in dialect) the people's belief in the tengu.
This miraculous water was promoted through every communication. The topic was exaggeratedly featured in a picture show using the nozoki show box and a counting song. The fame of this water was greater than the mountains included in the mountain chain starting from Koishiwara, such as Mt. Kosho, Mt. Hei, Utoura Pass, Mt. Umami, as well as the sacred mountain, Mt. Hiko.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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