Tengu lit a fire in his irori (fire place) and smiled a little as he saw one of the traditional Japanese masks hanging nearby…Hyottoko. It was an important mask indeed…it was used as a preventative to fires. As funny looking as it was, it had a deep root in his childhood. He had never liked fire, however he used to be deathly afraid of it…until he had learned of the legend of Hyottoko.
A man who could produce gold from his bellybutton had died in a horrible house fire. He looked just like the mask…from then on, if the mask was put in a house, it warded off fire. Tengu had thought the legend was initially very silly, but never discounted it, ever. So far that mask had served him well. He hadn’t burned himself yet, anyway.
That poor man…what a terrible way to go…*shivers*
That mask…is said to prevent fires?…*blinks*…would it protect my forest if I were to nail it on a tree?…Or is it limited to the prevention of house fires?
But, the forest is my home…
I’m sure it would help you either way. *big smile, offers an extra mask*
