Dragon Japanese. Legends and Myths of Japan on the Dragons

Dragon Japanese is the personification of a variety of divine powers. This fairy-tale creature can be evil and kind, noble and cunning. His image is inextricably linked with water, which, with its power and unpredictability, represents the awesome energy of a powerful animal. About what role the dragons play in Japanese mythology , this article will be discussed.

Origin

It is not known how independent the dragon is Japanese. First, all oriental fabulous animals (including Korean and Chinese) are very similar to each other. Secondly, the Japanese myths fixed in the annals not only completely copy the legends of a distant neighbor, but also are written in Chinese. And yet the legend of dragons in Japan has its own color, different from the traditions of other peoples. About the peculiarities of the national folklore of this country we will talk below.

Distinctive features

Dragon Japanese differs from Chinese, above all, physiological characteristics. The fact is that the number of claws, tails and heads of these creatures is different. The Japanese monster has only three claws. Scientists attribute this fact to the fact that earlier in China the dragon looked the same. Moreover, in his image he personified the strength and power of the country. However, after the conquest of China, the Mongols hoisted their dragon on the pedestal, which already had four claws as a sign that it was much more powerful than its predecessor. When the Chinese gained independence, they did everything to forget about the Mongolian rule. They again modified their dragon, having painted him another claw. Naturally, all these metamorphoses of the Japanese dragon have not touched. He came from three-fingered people from China, so he stayed. But he had many heads and tails. Therefore, coping with the raging monster was not easy. All the Japanese legends testify to this.

Habitat

The natural habitat for the dragon is water. In legends, he is inextricably linked with the Japanese water deities. In the old days, the dragon itself was considered a powerful creation of the heavens, which was revered in various places of the country. The center of worship of these creatures is the province of Kanagawa. Legends and myths of Japan say that before there lived as many as two famous dragons. The nine-headed monster inhabited the Asinoko Lake in the Hakone Mountains, and the five-headed monster on the island of Enoshima. Each of these fairy-tale creatures has its own special story.

Dragon five-headed

On Enoshim the sanctuary dedicated to the dragon appeared in 552 year. It is located in the rocky northern part of the island. Not far from the temple, at the very edge of the water, is the grotto, where according to legend the Japanese dragon still lives. The five-domed patron of the island became a deity not at once. To do this, he had to marry a goddess.

In the 6th century AD, a cult of worship to the goddess Benten - the patroness of the home, women, arts and fiery eloquence - was formed in Japan. According to legend, she was so beautiful that she conquered the great dragon. He begged for Benten and obtained consent. Since then, the five-headed animal has become a full member of the Japanese divine pantheon. He was recognized as the provider of moisture for the land by the Sagami. The animal was also given a special name - Ryukomaydzin, which translates as "the bright deity of the dragon."

Sacred Rites

On the coast in the vicinity of Ethnosima, a spacious temple is dedicated to the five-headed being, and on the island there is the sanctuary of his noble wife - the goddess Benten. In Japan, they believe that lovers everywhere and always should be together. Eastern mythology involves the performance of certain rituals. Thus, on the first day of the lunar calendar (Snake Day), a solemn ceremony takes place every year: a symbolic image of the deity is sent from the shrine of the dragon to the temple of the goddess Benten. The couple, thus, are close. And once in 60 years from the temple of the dragon with all possible honors a wooden statuette is taken out, which is then transported to the statue of Benten on the island.

Dragon of the Nine-Head

This creature from Asinoko has a completely different fate. It is considered a very ancient animal, which from time immemorial has been chosen on the coast of the lake and has eaten children from the surrounding villages. No one could withstand a gluttonous monster, until a pious priest named Managan appeared in those parts. Dragons hunters often figure in oriental legends and each time except for courage they have an uncommon savvy. And the Shinto servant possessed not only God's Word, but also active magic. With the help of spellbound enchantments, the hero managed to subdue the dragon and chain it with a chain to the trunk of a huge tree growing on the bottom of the lake. It's been more than a thousand years - and since then no one has seen a gluttonous dragon coming out onto the dry land.

Healing Tears

Japan is famous for such traditions. The most interesting thing, the creators of the legends believed that the evil monster could be completely re-educated. It is considered, for example, that the inhabitant of Lake Asinoko has long repented of his criminal deeds and weeps bitterly, remembering them. But there is no one to disrupt the dragon, because Managhan died a long time ago. Tears of a fairy-tale creature are considered curative, so the waters of Asinoko are attributed medicinal properties. Some Japanese come to these parts to heal from diseases and wounds. There is even a path along which the dragon got out of the lake. Above it, the lake thorium of the sanctuary is erected.

Patron of family happiness

For some reason, the nine-headed dragon is considered the patron of matchmaking, and now twice a year - on the Japanese holiday of all the lovers of Tanabata and western Valentine's Day - unmarried Japanese hurry to the shore of Lake Asinoko to ask the fairytale creature for well-being in their personal lives. And on a monthly basis, on the 13th, a service is held in the shrine of the dragon, in the course of which the deity is asked to protect everyone who is eager to find family happiness.

Yamata no oroti

Japanese folklore mentions one more formidable dragon, which it was not possible to correct - it was necessary to destroy it. It is said that in the southern part of the island of Honshu, in the Izumo area, an indomitable monster named Yamato no Orochi raged. Especially unlucky one family - she had eight daughters, and every year a fairy creature abducted and ate one of them. Description of the dragon says - he was terrible. The red-eyed, eight-headed monster was exceptionally large: its length was eight hills and eight valleys. In addition, he had eight tails, and on the back of the monster trees and moss grew. The belly of the dragon was always engulfed by fire and no one could resist his atrocities. When in the house of the unfortunate parents there was only one daughter, Susanoo no Mikoto (local god) came to them and offered help. In return, he demanded the hand of the rescued daughter. Of course, the old people agreed, and God ordered to proceed as follows. He ordered to boil a large amount of sake, which he poured into eight large barrels. Then Susanoo no Mikoto placed alcohol on elevations surrounded by a high fence. In each of them, an opening was made for the dragon's head. The snake, who apparently was not indifferent to the sake, did not sense the dirty trick and drank the cooked treat of each of the heads. He immediately became drunk and fell asleep, which allowed the clever god to chop it into pieces. Then Susanoo no Mikoto took a saved girl as wife, and in one of the tails of the dragon discovered the sword of Kusanagi, possessing magical properties. Later this subject became one of the symbols of the imperial power.

Color Dragons

Dragon Japanese is a very unpredictable creature. He can change his appearance, size, shape and even become invisible. Legendary animals differ in color. Perhaps, this is their only constant sign. Each color has its own meaning. The golden dragon brings happiness, wealth and luck. Blue (or green) symbolizes spring, meeting with him promises good luck and good health. Red means strength, activity, storm and summer. The black dragon represents winter, north, storm, revenge and anxiety. White is associated with mourning, fall and death.

Vatatsumi no kami

Ryūzin or Vatatsumi no Kami is the god of the water element, the dragon. He is considered a good patron of Japan. A fairy-tale creature is credited with many glorious feats. One day he, for example, rescued Japan from the Mongol invasion: caused a hurricane and sank the enemy flotilla. In Netsuke, this dragon is portrayed in the form of a gray-haired old man in an imperial garment. But the people have a much more popular use of his completely different appearance: Ryuzin, bare-toed, long-haired and bearded, holds a pearl that controls the tides in his hand, and a huge dragon or octopus perched behind him.

The Japanese believe that Ryūzin owns enormous wealth and is the most powerful being in the whole world. He lives at the bottom of the sea, but sometimes turns into a man and visits people. His attention is allegedly enjoyed by the country's most attractive women. The children of the dragon are very beautiful: they have green eyes and black hair. And they also have black magic.

The Legend of Ryūzin

There are a lot of legends about this dragon. It is said, for example, that once the two gods (fisherman Hodarino Mikoto and hunter Hoori no Mikoto) decided to exchange trades to find out if they could master an unfamiliar business for themselves. They were brothers and loved to compete for anything. Hory-no Mikoto during fishing drowned his brother's magic hook. In order to regain the loss, the hero had to descend to the seabed. There he met Toyotama-bime-no Mikoto, Ryūdin's daughter, fell in love and married her. Only three years later the unfortunate fisherman remembered why he had come. The sea god quickly found a hook and handed it to his son-in-law. He also gave Hory-no Mikoto two pearls, one controlled the tides, and the other - ebb. The hero returned to earth, reconciled with his brother and he and his beautiful wife lived happily ever after.

Ryo Wo

The legend of the dragons says: many of them have luxurious palaces on the seabed, as it is supposed to the mighty sea god. Ryo Wo has so spacious a dwelling that all drowned people are placed in it. This dragon is distinguished by nobility and wisdom. He is the patron of the Shinto faith. The Japanese believe that this creature has great power and can travel around the world. He is also very handsome and intelligent. Ryo Wo is sometimes not against playing with the clouds and thereby causing rain or a hurricane. Another of his weakness is pearls. For the sake of a rare specimen, the Japanese dragon is capable of much.

Famous Dragons

The legacy of dragons in Japan is great and diverse. In addition to the most famous, in the country of the rising sun there are other, less well-known. Here are some of them:

1. Fuku Riu is a dragon that brings good luck. It is difficult to call it ferocious, so any Japanese dreams of meeting with him. After all, this creature symbolizes luck, prosperity and abundance.
2. Sui Riu is a dragon that can cause rain. And it can be blood-red color and can portend trouble.
3. Han Riu is a multi-colored dragon. His body is decorated with strips of nine different shades. In addition, the length of his body is 40 feet. This creature always strives for heaven, but can never reach them.
4. Ka Riu is a small dragon of scarlet color. He is only seven feet long, but his body is always embraced by a bright flame.
5. Ri Riu is a keen dragon. He sees a distance of 100 miles around.
6. Benten is a Japanese goddess. According to legend, she sometimes descends from heaven on an unnamed dragon and stops the atrocities of other fairy-tale creatures.
7. Kinryu is a dragon of golden color.
8. Kiyo is a female being. Initially, this dragon was an attractive waitress, later reborn and is now considered the patron of inns.
9. O Goncho is a white dragon, a ferocious eternally hungry monster. He hunts along with his brother, the red Uwibami. He attacks people and eats large men.

Temples and altars

Sanctuaries of dragons are found in all the prefectures of Japan. Usually they are located on the shores of the seas and rivers, because these creatures are aquatic animals. In the inner Japanese sea there is the famous island of the Temple. He is visited to meditate and pray to the great dragons. The descendants of these legendary creatures, according to legend, become rulers. Sculptures depicting dragons adorn the outer sides of Buddhist temples and castles in Japan. They symbolize all the obstacles and difficulties that a person must overcome in order to reach enlightenment later on.

Dance of the Golden Dragon

In Akasusa, in the temple of Sensei, a symbolic golden dragon dances annually for the jubilant crowd. He is present during the solemn parade, and then with honors returns to the sanctuary. First people throw coins into the lattice of the temple and try to touch the dragon for happiness. After that, the symbol of the animal is taken out into the street, where it "dances" in front of the jubilant crowd. This annual festival is held in honor of the temple of the goddess Kanon, which was opened in 628, symbolizing charity. The sanctuary was discovered by two brother fishermen, who traded on the Sumida River. According to the legend, they recognized the temple because two golden dragons flew out from there. The festival is held in order to attract good luck for the whole coming year.

"Black dragon"

As mentioned above, the black dragon is a symbol of anxiety and retribution. It is assumed that before the outbreak of World War II an influential secret society operated in Japan. He was led by Minister of Military Affairs Tojo, a man who dreamed of starting a war with the United States and winning it. The organization was called the "Black Dragon". Japan then tried to defend its military superiority over other countries. Members of the terrorist organization committed a series of high-profile murders, paving their way to power. According to some reports, the Second World War in the Pacific began precisely because of the activities of this society, because it included representatives of the nobility, who fiercely hated the United States. Tojo eventually became the sole dictator of Japan, but his power did not last long. The FBI is still studying the activities of the Black Dragon organization and is finding new evidence of its crimes.

Now you know that Japanese mythology represents a centuries-old cultural heritage. The dragons in the country of the rising sun continue to deify. They are revered much more than real animals. For example, the Japanese yakuza consider this outlandish creature to be their patron and not only wear tattoos with his image, but also decorate his houses with statues. Dragons hunters in Japanese mythology are a rare phenomenon. After all, in local legends, they, more often than not, are not at all like fierce monsters from children's fairy tales, and they can always be negotiated with them. A person who has managed to please such a creature, can forever find happiness, wealth and longevity.