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An vintage Japanese shikishi print centred on the Buddhist expression 「増上慢」 (zōjōman), accompanied by explanatory calligraphy referring to the tengu (天狗)—one of the best-known supernatural beings of Japanese folklore.
The bold central characters 増上慢 describe a particular form of pride, arrogance, or spiritual conceit. In Buddhist terminology, the expression is used for someone who believes they have reached a higher level of understanding or attainment than they actually possess. More broadly, it can describe overconfidence, self-importance, and the tendency to exaggerate one’s own abilities or status.
The connection between tengu and arrogance has deep roots in Japanese Buddhist culture. Tengu were historically portrayed not simply as mountain spirits, but also as figures associated with pride and spiritual delusion, especially in stories about religious practitioners whose excessive self-confidence led them away from true understanding.
At the same time, Japanese representations of tengu often contain an element of humor. Their exaggerated noses, dramatic personalities, and boasts of supernatural power can make them both intimidating and comical—a quality reflected in the explanatory text on this shikishi.
