A large Japanese wood & lacquer Tengu mask from a Shinto temple, Tengu, (also known as the Slayer of vanity) are mountain and forest goblins with both Shinto and Buddhist attributes. Their supernatural powers include shape-shifting into human or animal forms, the ability to speak to humans without moving their mouth, & the magic of moving instantly from place to place without using their wings. Large Tengu masks can be seen in important Shinto Shrines in the Mountains surrounding Kyoto. See additional photos of this type of mask in use on Temples in Japan. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 70 x 40 cm