small tengu
A lesser tengu, a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, often depicted as a crow-like goblin. Contrasts with the more powerful 大天狗.
See also: 天狗
Small tengu are said to be less powerful than great tengu.
promising young martial artist
Idiomatic, figurative use likening a talented young martial arts practitioner to a small tengu. Often used in historical or period contexts.
Despite his youth, he was skilled with the sword and was called a 'small tengu' at the dojo.
Ussuri tube-nosed bat
Compound of 小 (small) and 天狗 (tengu, a mythical creature). The idiomatic sense derives from the image of a small but spirited tengu applied to a young martial artist.