Japanese dragons are not quite as feared as their European counterparts, but they do have some very strange powers. They can metamorphose into snakes, lengthen their bodies, or become invisible (like the creature in the movie Spirited Away).
These creatures have long been a part of Japanese folklore and are regarded as symbols of good luck. They are often seen engraved on tombstones, temples and storefronts.
Most Japanese dragons are benevolent, but there is one famous exception. The eight-headed dragon king Yamata no Orochi ravaged villages and devoured young women. He was finally stopped by the goddess Benten, who charmed him into promising never to do such things again.
Another Japanese dragon is Fuku-Ryu, a creature that is most often depicted rising up from the sea or rivers. This is because in eastern tradition a rising dragon symbolizes good fortune. Like most Japanese dragons, this one is slender and serpentine as opposed to Chinese dragons, which are bulkier.
A chimeric type of dragon is Hai-Riyo, which has a dragon’s head and the body and claws of a bird. This dragon is associated with rain and can sometimes produce crimson clouds and crimson rain.
The Japanese dragon is also a prominent deity in many shrines and temples, and is often pictured with the emperor or other dignitaries. This is a clear indication of the strong influence that Buddhism had on the culture of Japan at this time. Moreover, the discovery of dinosaur bones in China may have influenced the Japanese dragon myth as well.
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