A lesser known entity is the Japanese dragon, which usually lives in water and shapeshifts into a man, if not a beautiful woman. Yamata no Orochi legends are originally recorded in two ancient texts about Japanese mythology and history. Tamayori and Ugayafukiaezu eventually end up getting married and giving birth to a son, Jimmu. Anyway, with a culture so steeped in dragon … READ PAPER. Sino-Japanese dragons. Watatsumi, or Ryujin, was a legendary water god and Japanese dragon in the world of Japanese mythology. Some additional examples of Buddhistic Japanese dragons are: Dragon lore is traditionally associated with Buddhist temples. Japanese Mythology for Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Pathfinder by Ty Hulse — Kickstarter. It is connected with agricultural rituals, rain prayers, and the success[citation needed] of fisherman. It is believed that he served as a guardian for the Shinto religion and would welcome humans into his kingdom if they fell into the sea. Download. The 680 AD transl. As one of the most popular mythological creatures in modern day, the The Azure Dragon is one of the mythical protectors of the city … In Japanese mythology, belief in dragons is derived from Chinese influence. Susanoo took this opportunity to slay the dragon by using his ten-span sword to chop it into small pieces. As previously mentioned, a lot of people think that dragons are all the same. A book of Japanese Mythology designed to help with your world building & character creation. Kiyohime, or simply Kiyo, was believed to be the daughter of a landlord or village headman known as Shoji. Near the Hi River (which is now referred to as Hii River) in the province of Izumo, Susanoo came across the kunitsukami, who were weeping about how they had to give up a daughter each year for seven years to please Orochi and would soon have to sacrifice their last daughter, Kushi-nada-hime. According to the texts, Emperor Keiko’s army came across harsh waters as they crossed the land between the province of Sagami and the province of Kazusa. The dragon shapeshifted into a deer to try and sink the calabashes but was ultimately unsuccessful in completing the challenge. Amaterasu-goddess of the sun and fertility who brings light to the world 3. Hachiman- god of warriors 2. Supports and maintains the country ,controls rain, symbol of the Emperor’s power. The same events of the two getting married, living in Ryugo-jo for three years, and going back up to the lands remain true. An Imperial Japanese Army division, the 56th Division, was codenamed the Dragon Division. Japanese dragons are mostly associated with Shinto shrines as well as some Buddhist temples. The tale of Kiyohime tells how a handsome priest called Anchin fell for the beautiful girl but eventually fought through his urges and decided to refrain from meeting with her again. Ty Hulse is raising funds for Japanese Mythology for Dungeons & Dragons 5e and Pathfinder on Kickstarter! In some stories, Chinese dragons have been described to look like Japanese dragons. Chinese dragon mythology is central to Japanese dragons. Kagutsuchi- god of fire 5. fearlessness, A Tribal Dragon – symbolizes a deep connection with the culture of the tribe where the design originated from, A Rising Dragon – symbolizes progress and ascension, A Yin-Yang Dragon – symbolizes the proper balance of forces, A Dragon and Snake – symbolizes the conflicting ideas of superstition and science, A Dragon and Tiger – symbolizes the importance of having brains over brawns, A Dragon Claw – symbolizes fearlessness and power, A Dragon Skull – symbolizes that a difficulty has been conquered, A Dragon and Moon – symbolizes the connection of the sub-consciousness and nature, A Flaming Dragon – symbolizes passion, power, and sexual desires. be as a dragon). The Japanese word for water dragon is Mizuchi. The legend starts off by telling the story of how Susanoo, the Shinto god of sea and storms, was expelled from the heavens because of his trickeries towards Amaterasu, his sister and the goddess of the sun. Izanami-creator goddess 6. Susanoo was the god of the sea in Japanese mythology. This calamity was associated with Watatsumi, who had to be offered human sacrifices to be placated. Dragons are among the most familiar and powerful symbols in Japan. Dragon Sword and Wind Child by Noriko Ogiwara. The Kojiki and Nihongi mention several ancient dragons: Chinese dragon mythology is central to Japanese dragons. 1. Jaz: So that would have been Toyotama-hime, who we discussed in the beginning? When Buddhist monks from other parts of Asia brought their faith to Japan they transmitted dragon and snake legends from Buddhist and Hindu mythology. Japanese dragon, colour engraving on wood.Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and India. In another version, divers found the sword, and it is said to be preserved at Atsuta Shrine. Japanese mythology, on the other hand, often makes use of dragons to create scenarios that would put more focus on heroic deities. A short summary of this paper. Chinese legends usually describe the dragon or "long" as being a mix of different creatures such as the snake, the horse and the deer, leading to speculation that the myth was originally created by combining the totem animals of early Chinese clans. Watatsumi confronted Hoori about what was bothering him and upon hearing his concerns, the water god summoned all the fishes of the sea to ask if any of them had seen the fish hook. A common misconception when it comes to dragons is that all of them are exactly the same throughout Asia. In addition, Japanese dragons are more serpent-like and carry a slender physique. Not being able to forgive her husband, she decided to leave him and their son by returning to Ryugo-jo. Ashkenazi. Ryūjin shinkō 竜神信仰 "dragon god faith" is a form of Shinto religious belief that worships dragons as water kami. The modern J… As Susanoo split the dragon’s tail open, he found a sword inside, which would, later on, be called the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi – the same sword Susanoo would eventually give to Amaterasu as a form of reconciliation. People thought it was the home of the daughter of Ryūjin–the sea God. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and India. Media related to Tatsu at Wikimedia Commons Some authors differentiate Japanese ryū and Chinese long dragons by the number of claws on their feet. The Buddha riding a sea-dragon, by Kunisada. The dragon is taken through the grounds of the Sensoji in a parade and then into the temple itself. These creatures are considered to be Japan’s indigenous dragons, the most popular ones being: Yamata no Orochi, or simply Orochi, was an eight-tailed and eight-headed dragon who, every year, devoured one of the daughters of the kunitsukami, two earthly gods. The river was then referred to as The Pool of Agatamori, ever since. As she swam, her great rage transformed her into a large dragon. These kanji can be read tatsu in native Japanese kun'yomi and ryū or ryō in Sino-Japanese on'yomi.. Like other creatures called dragons , the Ryū is a big, fantastic animal that looks similar to a serpent , and is related to the Chinese lóng and the Korean yong . The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon. Japanese mythology makes use of Shinto, Buddhist, and folklore beliefs for its creation story and succeeding legends. Coincidentally, the Dragon Division was annihilated in the Chinese town of Longling (龍陵), whose name means "Dragon's Tomb". They are 10 feet high and 30 feet long. After heaven and earth were formed, seven generations of gods (individually known as kami) emerged and were regarded as kamiyonanayo or the Age of the Gods’ Seven Generations. In terms of their body/appearance, Japanese dragons are typically described to have three toes per foot, while Chinese dragons feature four or five on each. Furthermore, dragons are more often associated with Chinese mythology than Japanese mythology, which is understandable since a lot of Japan’s cultural practices and traditions are influenced by Chinese beliefs, one way or another. Upon realizing Anchin’s plan, Kiyohime jumped into the Hidaka river and started swimming towards his boat. In both China and Japan, Dragon and Phoenix symbolism is associated closely with the imperial family.After Daoism became popular, Azure Dragon was given human name Meng Zhang 孟章 Japanese Water Dragon One type of Japanese dragon, a Japanese water dragon, is a water deity found in bodies of water or rain. "This is quite clear, for it was via China that all the Indian tales came to Japan. Izanagi-creator god 7. There are four legs, no wings and three toes on each foot. According to Japanese mythology, Watatsumi lived in a palace known as Ryugo-jo under the sea. Moreover, many originally Japanese dragons, to which Chinese legends were applied, were afterwards identified with nāga, so that a blending of ideas was the result. Kuniyoshi: Mr Casual Wins a Bag of Rice. From these deities, many other gods and goddesses came into being, along with various creatures that served as their guardians, messengers, warriors, and enemies. The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese Dragon. It is worth noting, though, that the boundaries between what makes a dragon Japanese or Chinese are not particularly fixed. Each name is computer-generated and we encourage you to do further research on naming traditions and meanings for your exact region. Sui-Riu is the Japanese Dragon King. Japanese dragons (日本の竜, Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. Based in a "Ryūjin" Dragon, a Japanese Mythology creature. The most notable examples are the nāga ナーガ or 龍 "Nāga; rain deity; protector of Buddhism" and the nāgarāja ナーガラージャ or 龍王 ”Nāgaraja; snake king; dragon king". According to legend, the Sensō Temple was founded in 628 after two fishermen found a gold statuette of Kannon in the Sumida River, at which time golden dragons purportedly ascended into heaven. Surprisingly, instead of seeing Toyotama-hime, Hoori saw a crocodile-like wani cradling his son. Many Japanese dragon names are loanwords from Chinese. Ryu are seen as a symbol of profound blessing, wisdom, and strength — due to their ability to manipulate the elements for the benefit of the people. When Orochi appeared, Susanoo saw that it had red eyes, an eight-forked tail, an eight-forked head, and growing cypresses and firs on its back. The Kojiki, also known as the Records of Ancient Matters or Furukotofumi, is a collection of various myths related to Japan’s four home islands. According to the legend, the river turned red because of all the dragons Agatamori killed. The great earthquake of 1185 was attributed to vengeful Heike spirits, specifically the dragon powers of Antoku. In the present day, the Lake Saiko Dragon Shrine at Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi has an annual festival and fireworks show. The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon. Chinese mythology puts emphasis on the association of dragons with water bodies and regards them as bringers of rain for agriculture. Anike: I think so. According to legend,[3] when the Hōkō-ji 法興寺 or Asuka-dera 飛鳥寺 Buddhist temple was dedicated at Nara in 596, "a purple cloud descended from the sky and covered the pagoda as well as the Buddha hall; then the cloud became five-coloured and assumed the shape of a dragon or phoenix". Here are the most famous Japanese deities 1. Japanese words for "dragon" are written with kanji ("Chinese characters"), either simplified shinjitai 竜 or traditional kyūjitai 龍 from Chinese long 龍. The goddess asked her husband not to witness the birth of their son, Ugayafukiaezu, but Hoori’s curiosity led him to spy on his wife. Dragon Gods Japanese myth is, to say the least, a little confusing. Over the many years and countless legends that have transpired, Japanese dragons have become an emblem for numerous concepts including strength, wisdom, prosperity, longevity, and luck. He is also capable of appearing in human form. Furthermore, their roles of dragons in stories are not limited to the said stereotypes for each country’s mythology. Although dragons may be iconic mythical creatures, as well, not a lot of people are aware of their roles in Japan’s classical legends. 35 Full PDFs related to this paper. Modern Japanese Culture. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and India. These kanji can be read tatsu in native Japanese kun'yomi and ryū or ryō in Sino-Japanese on'yomi. The Dragon King was in charge of all the rain, and he was sometimes known as 'the rain dragon.' Like these other East Asian dragons, most Japanese ones are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water, and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet. It is the second dragon of the four sacred creatures of Japanese mythology, but unlike Suzaku, Seiryu is blue and represents the cardinal point of the East, water, and spring. Temple names, like Japanese toponyms, frequently involve dragons. He was the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and the ruler of Heaven. Hoori and the dragon goddess soon got married and lived in Ryugo-jo. Lately, I’ve been consuming speculative fiction centered around Japanese mythology / Shinto creation mythology. Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Some common variations include: A Sleeping Dragon – symbolizes a hidden power or strength that comes out when needed, A Gothic Dragon – symbolizes the primal instincts of man, i.e. Dragons tend to differ from one another as they are said to take on the characteristics of many creatures — typically … Thus, Agatamori slayed the dragon as well as the other water dragons at the bottom of the river. Japanese dragons (日本の竜 Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. The influence of Mizuchi appears to come from a Chinese dragon, and it is a wingless serpent that has clawed feet. When it comes to Japanese, or at least Japanese-inspired, art, the use of dragons is quite common. Inari-god of merchants, also associated with rice 4. Japanese dragons (日本の竜 Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. However, there are actually a few differences between the dragons of Japan and China. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Koreaand India. The palace is … How a dragon is depicted in a tattoo design, drawing, painting, or symbol greatly contributes to the overall meaning/concept. Apparently, shapeshifting into a wani was necessary for Toyotama-hime to give birth and she did not want her husband to see her in that state. Japanese. It is seen carved upon tombs, on temples, dwellings, and shops. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and India. According to the Gukanshō and The Tale of Heike (Heinrich 1997:74–75), the sea-dragon empowered Emperor Antoku to ascend the throne because his father Taira no Kiyomori offered prayers at Itsukushima and declared it his ancestral shrine. This Japanese dragon symbolized the power of the ocean had a large mouth. Furthermore, Watatsumi recognizes Hoori to be a descendant of another god and quickly has a banquet arranged for him. A Japanese dragon, also known as ryū or tatsu (龍 or 竜, "dragon") is a mythical animal from Japan. Japanese Dragon Types. It was obtained, washed, and given to Hoori. She coiled around the bell and banged on it loudly using her tail for several times. They are a symbol of the Mikado. The kunitsukami agreed and Susanoo transformed their daughter into a comb right before their eyes. Media related to Japanese dragons at Wikimedia Commons, Dragon Festival for rainmaking in Nio, Japan, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Japanese_dragon&oldid=1008409876, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from December 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 23 February 2021, at 04:40. The Japanese Ryu (Draco orientalis japonicus) is, like the Korean Yong, a lover of volcanic hot springs. Zennyo Ryūō is a dragon from Japanese mythology. Ghosts, demons, and spirits are the most popular creatures often associated with Japanese mythology but are far from being the only beings present. The creation myth comes from the Kojiki, or “Record of Ancient Matters,” the first book written in Japan (dating back to 712) … They were also believed to signify wisdom, success, and strength. In this tale, Toyotama-hime is not introduced as the daughter of Otohime and Hoori but, instead, takes on the role of Otohime, herself. Japanese dragons were unique in the sense that they served as water gods that ruled the oceans, fought with other gods, shapeshifted into humans, or vice versa. The Kinryū-no-Mai "Golden Dragon Dance" is an annual Japanese dragon dance performed at Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa. They are also looked upon as imperial and spiritual power, and they tend to live in lakes and springs. The Japanese word for "dragon" is written with kanji "Chinese characters", either simplified shinjitai 竜 or traditional kyūjitai 龍 from Chinese long 龍. Chinese dragon mythology dates back at least 6,000 years and is still very popular in modern China. For instance, the Rinzai sect has Tenryū-ji 天龍寺 "Heavenly Dragon Temple", Ryūtaku-ji 龍沢寺 "Dragon Swamp Temple", Ryōan-ji 竜安寺 "Dragon Peace Temple". Ryūjin is also credited with the challenge of a hurricane which sank the … Upon the creation of the universe, it is believed that several deities came into existence, as well, and were collectively referred to as kotoamatsukami. After three years, Hoori started feeling homesick and wanted to live on land, again, but was afraid of facing his brother without his fish hook. ja – transl. The dragon’s size spread over eight valleys and eight hills as it crawled towards the kunitsukami’s homeland. Because of the islands’ weather patterns, this meant that he was also strongly associated with storms and rain. Upon the announcement of their pregnancy, Hoori built Toyotama-hime a hut where she could deliver their child. The Kōryū 蛟竜 < jiaolong 蛟龍 "flood dragon" was a midget submarine and the Shinryū 神竜 < shenlong 神龍 "spirit dragon" was a rocket kamikaze aircraft. Agatamori cast three bottle gourds (calabashes) to the pool of the river which remained afloat on the surface of the water. de Visser (1913:179) notes that many Japanese nāga legends have Chinese features. De Visser[2] lists accounts for Shitennō-ji in Osaka, Gogen Temple in Hakone, Kanagawa, and the shrine on Mount Haku where the Genpei Jōsuiki records that a Zen priest saw a 9-headed dragon transform into the goddess Kannon. a creature with the form of a sea monster from Jewish belief and from Levantine mythology. Arguably the most recognizable creature in Japanese iconography is the Dragon. Kickstarter. The Golden Dragon Dance was produced to celebrate the reconstruction of the Main Hall of the temple in 1958 and is performed twice yearly. In the Nihongi, Watatsumi also makes an appearance through the tales of Emperor Keiko and Emperor Jimmu. Like these other East Asian dragons, most Japanese ones are water deities associated with rainfall and bodies of water, and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet. Articles written by our staff, highlighting the vibrant, modern side of Japan. Their life on land is then told in detail. Then he tucked her into his hair and told the kunitsukami to prepare eight-fold sake and make eight cupboards, each having a tub filled with the alcohol. Copyright © YABAI.com All Rights Reseved. The sword, along with a mirror and jewel respectively called Yata no Kagami and Yasakani no Magatama, are considered to be the Imperial Regalia of Japan. A common description of Zennyo Ryūō in Shinsen’en stories is that it is a small dragon (about two meters long) with a small golden snake on its head. Its waking, sleeping and breathing determine day and night, season and weather. Fortuitously, one of the fishes did come across the fish hook and had it stuck in its throat. This sudden change of heart was not taken well by Kiyohime, who went after the priest in rage. Download PDF. This Japanese Dragon symbolized the power of the ocean, living on a palace under the sea … In both versions of the Orochi myth, the Shinto storm god Susanoo (or "Susa-no-O") is expelled from Heaven for tricking his sister Amaterasu, the sun goddess. Anike: The dragon is a recurring feature in Shinto shrines, and some shrines were believed to be the den of a dragon, like the Shrine on Itsukushima Island. This statement may be true to some extent but, essentially, each country has its own kind of dragons. Articles written by our staff, highlighting the vibrant, modern side of Japan. "In the oldest annals the dragons are mentioned in various ways," explains de Visser,[1] "but mostly as water-gods, serpent- or dragon-shaped." The priests at the temple hid him under a bell but Kiyohime was able to find him through his scent. The modern Japanese language has numerous "dragon" words, including indigenous Tatsu from Old Japanese ta-tu, Sino-Japanese ryū or ryō 竜 from Chinese lóng 龍, nāga ナーガ from Sanskrit nāga, and doragon ドラゴン from English "dragon" (the latter being used almost exclusively to refer to the European dragon and derived fictional creatures). He and his numerous daughters made frequent appearances in various legends. The dragon dancers twist and turn within the temple grounds and outside on the streets. Japanese Dragons and Art – Tattoo Designs, Drawings, Paintings, and Symbols One story in the Kojiki tells of how a man named Hoori lost his brother’s fish hook in the sea and, while searching for it, met Otohime, a daughter of Watatsumi. The two crossed paths at the Hidaka river, where Anchin asked for help in crossing the river from a boatman. Many Japanese dragon names are loanwords from Chinese. During World War II, the Japanese military named many armaments after Chinese dragons. Ryu Tattoo aka Japanese Dragon Tattoo. Kuznetsova Olga. He told Mizuchi to make the gourds sink or else he would have to slay him. When Antoku drowned himself after being defeated in the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, he lost the imperial Kusanagi sword (which legendarily came from the tail of the Yamata no Orochi] dragon) back into the sea. Featuring both fresh, fun discoveries as well as little-known treasures to help you see Japan through new eyes. A number of Chinese proverbs and idioms feature references to the dragon, for example: "Hoping one's son will become a dragon" (望子成龍, i.e. Origin of Dragon’s Japanese Name In Japanese mythology, the Dragon King's Palace (Ryūgū 竜宮) is said to be located at the bottom of the sea, near the Ryūkū (Ryukyu) 琉球 Islands (Okinawa), and it belongs to Ryūjin (Ryujin) 竜神, the Japanese name for the dragon king. According to the Japanese creation myth, the kamiyonanayo consisted of twelve gods, of which two served as the initial, individual kamis known as hitorigami, while the other ten emerged as male-female pairs, either siblings or married couples. In both documents, water deities in the shape of serpents or dragons are repeatedly mentioned in numerous ways. [4], Susanoo slaying the Yamata no Orochi, by Kuniteru. Conveying the form of the mythical beast, this Articulated Dragon combines elements from several creatures: a snake’s body, a fish’s scales, and an eagle’s talons. Anchin ran into a temple known as Dojo-ji and sought for help and protection. The Azure Dragon: Protector of Kyoto. The style of the dragon was heavily influenced by … In Japan the dragon is used in the Golden Dragon Parade and Festival in Tokyo every March and October 18. Ashkenazi. Watatsumi then instructed Hoori to take Otohime back with him up to the lands using a wani, another mythical dragon best described to be a sea monster/creature. It is revered in many parts of Japan and is reproduced in a large statue at the entrance to the temple of Kiyomizu. Download Full PDF Package. Myths about dragons living in ponds and lakes near temples are widespread. The two did not get along well, however, which ultimately led to Susanoo’s most famous adventure. Japanese dragons (日本の竜, Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. He is considered a good god and patron of Japan, since the Japanese population has for millennia lived off the bounty of the sea. He was once a hornless dragon who emerged from the River Luo and gave the Emperor Fu Xi with the elements of writing. Orochi: the eight-headed serpent slain by Susanoo in Japanese mythology… The Nihongi, which is also referred to as Nihon Shoki or The Chronicles of Japan, serves as a more detailed and elaborate extant historical record than the Kojiki. Susano-god of storms and seas, Amaterasu’s brother Other spirits and creatures that frequently appear in Japanese mythology 1. This book is part of the Tales of Matagama series but you can also read it as a standalone. There are two widely accepted versions called the Kojiki (古事記; Records of Ancient Matters) and Nihon-Shoki (日本書紀, sometimes also referred to as the Nihongi, 日本紀) in which there are a lot of differences, including different and/or multiple names for each deity. This paper. The Kinryu-no-Mai (Golden Dragon Dance) is held at the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa every Spring. She then sent her sister, Tamayori, to Hoori to help raise Ugayafukiaezu. Some of the first appearances of dragons in Japanese mythology were in the Kojiki (680 AD) and Nihongi (720 AD). Kojiki transcribes this dragon name as 八岐遠呂智 and the 720 AD Nihon Shoki writes it as 八岐大蛇. Japanese dragons: Ikuchi: A water dragon youkai in Japanese mythology. Toyotama-hime caught Hoori spying on her and felt betrayed. Kuniyoshi is another daughter of Ryujin the dragon king. Japanese Mythology Character Name Generator Legend has it that Japanese mythology has it all. Upon reaching the tubs, Orochi drank all the sake, became drunk, and eventually fell asleep. Watatsumi is cited in Emperor Jimmu’s story because of his claim to be a descendant of Toyotama-hime, the daughter of Otohime and Hoori. Like Chinese dragons, Japanese dragons are mainly viewed as wise and divine. Other spellings and variations of the name include Zennyo Ryuo, Zen-nyo-ryu-o, Zentatsu and Zen-tatsu. Susanoo offered to help save Kushi-nada-hime in exchange for her hand in marriage. Tatsu: Dragon of Japanese mythology, and the master of the water, like the Ryu. There are the Tatsu, which are Japanese dragons. Their family was quite wealthy and was in charge of entertaining and providing traveling priests with lodging. If you’re looking for Japanese mythology names, this Japanese God name generator is built to be a starting point! Agatamori, an ancestor of the clan of Kasa no omi, went to the river and proposed a challenge to the dragon. Mizuchi was a water dragon that dwelled in the Kawashima River and would kill passing travelers by spewing out venom. Tsuki- Yomi– moon god, Amaterasu’s brother 8. She is also known as the Luxuriant Jewel Princess and appears in the legend known as Luck of the Sea and Luck of the Mountain. Colouration is blue, red, green or gold with the females having feathered tails. Putting up a few reviews here as part of the Japanese Literature Reading Challenge 2021. Handbook of Japanese Mythology. Share this project. The dragon is chief among the ideal creatures of Japan. Often paired with the Phoenix, for the two represent both conflict and wedded bliss. "In Japan," writes Gould (1896:248), "it is invariably figured as possessing three claws, whereas in China it has four or five, according as it is an ordinary or an Imperial emblem.". The Life of Tokugawa Hidetada; The Second Tokugawa Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshikazu: The Shogun Who Reigned for Two Years, Unfit for the Shogunate: The Truth behind Tokugawa Iesada, Sweet sake: The Sugary Side of the Traditional Sake. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima or Itsukushima Island in Japan's Inland Sea was believed to be the abode of the sea-god Ryūjin's daughter. The c. 680 AD Kojiki and the c. 720 AD Nihongi mytho-histories have the first Japanese textual references to dragons. 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