Tengu are mythical beasts of Japan. They are often depicted in traditional art as old men or large birds, and are said to inhabit mountainous areas. The most popular image of the tengu is a red faced daemon with a very long pointed nose, somewhat like a beak.

A well known Japanese children's story relates the tale of two tengu sitting atop mountains who can extend their noses great distances, following interesting smells down into the villages below.