Dragons are mythical creatures from various cultures; the most famous are from China, Korea, and India, but Japan also has its legends and stories about dragons. In this article, we will talk about Japanese dragons and some curiosities.
Dragons in Japan are called ryu [竜 or 龍], and the vast majority are related to water, not fire as some think. Besides being aquatic, they often transform into humans or other things. Unlike Chinese dragons, they resemble snakes and have heads similar to crocodiles.
Dragons are rarely mentioned in Japanese stories. Some say these dragon stories come from sightings of enormous fish that grew disproportionately. Some are dragons imported from other cultures, and some even appear in dragon anime.
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Ryujin – Sea Dragon God and His Daughters
Ryujin [龍神] is a dragon god also known as watatsumi [海神] who lives in the ocean and appears in various Japanese myths. He transforms into a human and steals priceless jewels from a prince.
The legend says that this prince falls in love with Princess Tamatori, who manages to steal the jewels from her beloved but cuts her breasts to hide the jewels from the wrath of the dragon Ryujin, dying from the injury.
It is believed that Ryujin lives in an underwater palace called Ryūgū-jō, where he kept the tide jewels called kanju. These magical jewels were used by Ryujin to control the tides.
Otohime, Toyotamahime and Kuniyoshi
Toyotama-hime is another daughter of the dragon god Ryujin. Toyotama marries Prince Hoori but returns to the sea when he breaks his vow not to spy on her.
Otohime is one of the most beautiful daughters of the dragon god Ryujin. She is also the grandmother of Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan. She is present in the legend of Urashima Taro, a young fisherman who saved Otohime, who was in the form of a turtle.
Kuniyoshi – Another daughter of the dragon god Ryujin, she observes a warrior named Hidesato who was not afraid of her dragon form and then asks the warrior to kill a giant centipede.
Yamata no Orochi – Eight-Headed Dragon
Yamata no Orochi [八岐の大蛇] is an eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon with red eyes, moss, and trees on its back. It was so large that it occupied eight valleys and eight peaks. Also known as the Great Eight-Headed Serpent (Dragon).
Annually, the dragon Orochi demanded the sacrifice of eight virgins. One day, one of the eight required virgins was the beloved of Susano. Considered the god of thunder, Susanoo no Mikoto, with his sword, cut off each head of Orochi.
From its belly fell the sacred orb of life, the Magatama, and from the last head cut, a tear rolled out that became the mirror. Amaterasu kept the dragon-slaying sword Kusanagi, Izumo kept the orb Magatama, and Princess Yata kept the mirror.
These three objects are today known as the “Three Sacred Treasures of Japan” and are said to be preserved in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
Kiyohime – The Vengeful Lover
Kiyohime’s [清姫] family was wealthy, and her father, Shoji, was the village chief. The family provided lodging for priests and travelers. One day, the young Kiyohime fell in love with a traveling healer named Anchin.
Kiyohime and Anchin had a romance, but one day the healer lost interest in Kiyohime and tried to escape via the Hidaka River. Kiyohime’s anger was so great that she transformed into a dragon and pursued Anchin.
The healer tried to hide from Kiyohime’s anger inside an iron bell in a temple, but Kiyohime, as a dragon, wrapped herself around the bell, struck it several times, and finally let out a fiery belch that melted the bell with Anchin inside.
Seiryu – Azure Dragon and the Four Dragons
There are two legends involving four protective creatures. In one, the four creatures of green, red, black, and white colors protect Japanese cities; in another, they are four dragons that protect the seas.
The Azure Dragon is present in both. It is a green dragon of Chinese origin called Qing Long. In China, it is a symbol of the Chinese constellations, but in Japan, it is one of the four spirits that guard Japanese cities.
It is also called Seiryu, the protector of the city of Kyoto or of Eastern Japan. The West is protected by a White Tiger, the North by a Black Tortoise, and the South by a Red Bird.
Other Japanese Dragons
There are many Japanese dragons that appear in legends and historical, cultural, and religious records. Below, we will briefly mention some popular Japanese dragons.
Mizuchi – Another Snake Dragon
Mizuchi [蛟] is a Japanese aquatic dragon/serpent and possibly a deity, mentioned in the chronicles of Nihon Shoki and the poems of Man’yōshū. Records mention human sacrifices made as offerings to the Mizuchi that inhabited the rivers.
Wani – The Crocodile Dragon
Wani [鰐] is a crocodile dragon or sea monster mentioned twice in Japanese legends. Wani can also be simply a crocodile, but in Japanese mythology, it is categorized as a dragon.
Nure-onna – Yokai Serpent
Nure-onna [濡女] is a yokai that resembles a serpent, which are the popular dragons in Japanese legends. Its difference is the woman’s head. It is often seen on rivers and beaches washing its hair.
Zennyo Ryuo – Rain Dragon
Zennyo Ryuo – It is a rain dragon god mentioned in Buddhist stories and in the Imperial Palace of Kyoto. It is a small dragon that often appears in human form but with its dragon tail.
Kuraokami – The Snow Dragon
Kuraokami is referred to as the Dragon of Darkness, but it is also a Shinto deity of rain and snow. It was also born from Izanagi and Izanami, like most Japanese dragons and deities.
Kuzuryu – The Exorcised Dragon
Kuzuryu is a dragon from the folklore of Nagano province in Japan. It is mentioned as a venomous and fierce dragon that lived in a lake, to which humans had to offer sacrifices. One day it was exorcised and became the local guardian.
Inari Ōkami – Deity of Prosperity
This deity is very popular and has a mountain full of gates in Kyoto dedicated to Inari. It is often represented as a fox. It has also appeared as a serpent or dragon in some accounts.
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