Matthew Perry depicted with tengu-like features in a Japanese tabloid, 1853 or 1854. This depiction was not simply a function of Perry's having different facial features than most Japanese. The main reasons for this depiction is that Perry came from afar in awesome-looking ships, and was clearly a powerful, menacing force. Like actual tengu, while Perry was someone to be feared, his power might also be turned to beneficial use--or it might be studied and learned. Considering the circumstances and manner of Perry's visit, one might argue that the tengu-like appearance was indeed realistic within a Japanese frame of reference. At about this time, the term "long noses" began to be applied to American or European foreigners and remained in use throughout the Meiji period.

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