The Tengu

"Minamoto Yoshitsune being taught swordsmanship by the
Tengu, mythical birdlike creatures"
-from a 19th Century painting.

The Tengu was an actual legend and their pupil became a
great Samurai and Shogun. This is the basis of "Tengu"
and the story.
Betrayed by a Brother, he is left as a Ronin, a wondering
sword for hire. But he is on a road of redemption to bring
back honour (or is it vengeance . . .).
But there is more to the story as it slowly evolves, and
his group will find their paths intertwined.

Tengu teaches each member something that would be
un-heard of (and un-realistic in fact), that each is their
own, that no-one can dictate who they are and that
they need to find purpose within and fulfill their own
destiny . . . or fall prey to Arrow and Sword eternally.

But with this, is needed skill, determination and
patience. And all will be tested in these qualities.

This drawing, I have to say was a subcontious RIP-OFF
of a wonderful Chinese "Manhau" (or Kung Fu comics)
Artist by the name of Wing She Ma.
Before I knew that, I had been given this gorgeous Art
of-Portfolio with unusual dimensions (and large!).
All these beautiful detailed Pen & Ink drawings (later to
find they were painted with Bamboo Brush!) and Paintings
that seem they were "Cover Paintings" for something.
Not until a decade later would I discover at The San Diego
Comic Con that they were from the series "Storm Riders".
My Drawing came from an Art panel of the character
"Duan Lang" after his fray with 2 warriors.

Tengu is also influenced by the character in the movie
"The Hunted" with Christopher Lambert'. The character
"Takeda" played wonderfly by Yoshiro Harada. The last
of the Samurai and his Clan in 20th Century Japan.
Tengu is modeled after the actor, his expressions and
movements.
He too is Hunted, by Ronin and Ninja for others
. . . "who dare they, hide their cowardess with their stolen
nobility".

Note:
My added take to the "scenario", After he kills his foes,
the last thing the victem see's are "Ghostly flying Cranes"
flying over them, and that is how they know, at their
last breath . . . they have lost to and "met", the Tengu.

So far the Tengu, The Lotus, The Dragonfly and The
Stranger are done (except painting the 3), others are being
worked on or re-done.
(All Art, Scenarios, Characters and Ideas are copyrighted
by M A V A R T W O R X 1995/2007)