The Tengu's Challenge: Kobayakawa Takakage's Philosophical Duel at Mount Hiko
- Re.JapBook
- Feb 8
- 1 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Imperial Command
This dramatic print depicts the legendary encounter between Kobayakawa Takakage, one of Japan's most respected military commanders, and the Tengu of Mount Hiko. The confrontation arose when Takakage, under Toyotomi Hideyoshi's orders, came to harvest sacred trees for shipbuilding before the Korean campaign.
The Supernatural Challenge
One autumn evening, a mysterious mountain priest of extraordinary height appeared before Takakage. The warrior immediately recognized his visitor as the legendary Great Tengu of Mount Hiko. The supernatural being challenged Takakage's right to cut the sacred trees that had stood untouched for over a thousand years.
The Philosophical Defense
Rather than showing fear, Takakage responded with remarkable composure and wisdom. He argued that while cutting sacred trees for personal gain would indeed be sacrilege, he acted on imperial authority through Hideyoshi's command. Citing the ancient principle that "All under heaven belongs to the sovereign," he challenged the tengu's attachment to mere trees over public duty.
The Victory of Reason
Yoshitoshi captures the moment when the tengu, unable to counter Takakage's logical argument about the supremacy of imperial authority over local religious customs, conceded defeat and vanished like morning mist.
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