The Tengu Nest - T-Shirt

Step into Japanese folklore with a design that pairs wit with tradition. Inspired by Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831-1889) – the celebrated late-Edo/early-Meiji painter and printmaker known for sharp satire – this shirt features reveling tengu, the mischievous mountain spirits of yōkai lore, throwing a feast high in a pine while a Shogun’s procession passes below. A conversation piece for anyone who enjoys classic art with a playful jab at authority.

The design

Kyōsai’s scene is both comic and precise – a canopy of pine branches frames busy tengu who cook, pour sake, and raise outsized cups, while only one pays the parade any mind.

The contrast between unruly spirits and formal pageantry captures what Kyōsai did best: Lively brushwork, keen observation, and humor rooted in everyday life. Tengu are long-nosed guardians and tricksters from mountain cults and temple legends – a perfect emblem for independent spirits and fans of yōkai storytelling. Reproduced with crisp linework and balanced tones so the textures of pine, robes, and masks read clearly on fabric.

Why you’ll love it

• A great motive for lovers of the Japanese yōkai, and all who, let's say, can enjoy a good laugh at the government
  
• Dress-up or casual – our shirt pairs well with denim, chore jackets, or a hoodie for everyday wear
• Thoughtful gift, ideal for Japan-lovers, yōkai enthusiasts, and martial arts practitioners