Vintage Japanese Tengu Item — 1970s, Showa Era (SKU: 26F-228)

Vintage Japanese Tengu Item (SKU 26F-228)

Striking red tengu mask plaque from a Shinto shrine, mounted on warm sugi wood for bold wall display.

This vintage Japanese wall plaque features a vividly painted red tengu mask, the long-nosed mountain spirit of Japanese folklore, mounted on a vertically grained wooden board. The sharply carved brows, exaggerated nose, and watchful gold eyes capture the powerful yet mischievous personality traditionally associated with tengu figures seen in festivals and shrine approaches throughout Japan.

Interestingly, the sculptural form also carries a playful layer of folk humor. In some shrine souvenirs and festival carvings, tengu imagery is intentionally exaggerated in ways that echo traditional fertility symbols, reflecting the lighthearted and sometimes cheeky character found in Japanese folk culture. This piece embraces that spirit, giving it both a dramatic visual presence and a humorous, conversation-starting charm.

The board is inscribed in white with 「自然歓喜神社」, suggesting a connection to a Shinto shrine and adding to its character as a piece of shrine folk art. Rope hangers at the top allow the plaque to be easily displayed in an entryway, tokonoma alcove, bar, or as part of a collection of Showa-era Japanese décor.

Origin: Japan, shrine souvenir / folk art
Era: Showa period (vintage)
Material: Painted composite mask on natural wood plaque with cord hanger
Use: Wall-mounted decorative tengu mask plaque, shrine or home display
Features: Bold red tengu mask with long nose, gold eyes, and black shading; playful folk-art character; inscribed 「自然歓喜神社」; Showa-era vintage patina with minor paint wear; ready-to-hang rope fittings
Dimensions: 6 1/2"W x 5"D x 9 3/4"H
Condition: Very good vintage condition with light surface wear consistent with age

A characterful piece of Japanese folk art that combines the dramatic presence of a shrine tengu with the whimsical humor often found in traditional festival carvings.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.