Japanese Dragon, by Hokusai
Japanese Dragons (known as Ryu or Tatsu in Japan) are mythical creatures from Japanese mythology and folklore.
Etymology[]
There are three common terms to refer to dragons in Japan: tatsu, ryu, and doragon. The former two are indigenous while the latter is in the katakana script, words used for things of foreign origin and is used to refer to the malevolent Western dragon.[1]
Description[]
English writer Marcus Huish described the Japanese dragon as conventionalized by Japanese artists as "A composite monster with scowling head, long straight horns, a scaly, serpentine body, a bristling row of dorsal spines, four limbs armed with claws, and curious flamelike appendages on its shoulder and hips." [2]
The Japanese dragon is associated with water, thunder, and lightning. The Japanese dragon shares many similarities to the snake in Japanese folklore, the snake having the listed attributes in addition to both being associated with lust (See "Behavior" section for more info), with the distinguishing between the two being often vague. Overall, the Japanese dragon contrasts the snake in being "nobler" and more often being depicted as a thunder entity.[3]
Behavior[]
Japanese dragons are known to be lustful creatures that will mate with any animal, with an offspring between a dragon and a cow being a Kirin, a pig an elephant, and with a mare a steed of the finest breed.[2]
Japanese dragons share a heavy rivalry with Japanese fox spirits, the latter carrying items of notable uncleanliness that deters the dragon from attacking them.[4]
Types[]
There are many types of the Japanese dragon, such as the violet, yellow, green, red, white, black, flying, water, and fire dragon. The Japanese version of the Ying long (winged dragon) in China is the Hai Riu, which has feathered wings, a bird's claws and tail, and a dragon's head.[2]
Culture[]
The Japanese dragon is along with the Chinese dragon one of the animals on the zodiac in each respective culture. Various dragons can be found on Japanese sword guards and netsukes, which may be intentionally symbolic.[2] In classical Japan, it was believed that the emperors of Japan were descendants of dragons, as according to Japanese myth, the first human ruler of the land, Jimmu Tenno, was the grandson of a dragon.[5]
Notable Japanese Dragons[]
- Yamata no Orochi - An evil eight-headed dragon with eight tails that was slain by the god Susanoo.
- Ryujin - A sea deity and dragon king who is the master of serpents.[6]
- Sui Riu - A dragon king that is a rain dragon. When he is in pain, he causes reddish rain.[2]
- Han Riu - A dragon king. Has nine different colors. Is forty feet long. Will never ascend to heaven.[2]
- Ka Riu - A dragon king. Is scarlet color and firey. Only seven feet long.[2]
- Ri Riu - A dragon king. Has wonderful sight. being able to see over one hundred miles.[2]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ Robert M. Sarwark (2024) The Dragon in World Mythology and Culture McFarland
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Chapter Nine: The Dragon in Japanese Art in Ernest Ingersoll (1928) Dragons and Dragon Lore Payson & Clarke
- ↑ Royall Tyler (1987) Japanese Tales Pantheon Books
- ↑ Karl Shuker (1995) Dragons: A Natural History Simon & Schuster
- ↑ Doug Niles (2013) Dragons: The Myths, Legends, & Lore Adams Media
- ↑ Mark Cartwright (June 28, 2017) Ryujin World History Encyclopedia
External Links[]
- Japanese dragon on Wikipedia