竜・龍 Dragon in Japan

The dragon, introduced to Japan from China during the Yayoi period, has long been a beloved mythical creature in Japan, much like in many other countries. Even today, it continues to captivate popular culture, making appearances in anime, games, and finding its way into various names of people, places and products. In addition, dragons play a significant role in Japanese mythology and are revered in numerous Shinto shrines, underscoring a deep spiritual connection between Japan and dragons.

Dragon as a Water God

Dragons, worshipped as deities known as 竜神りゅうじん or 龍神りゅうじん, have found their place in numerous shrines throughout Japan. The concept of dragon deities, introduced from China, intertwined seamlessly with Japan’s ancient belief in water deities. As a result, dragon deities are worshipped in Japan as the guardians of water.¹ Consequently, shrines to dragon deities are often located near water sources and rivers. This practice has spread throughout Japan, with particular emphasis on agriculture and fishing, in order to mitigate river flooding, ensure vital rainfall for crops, and ensure abundant fishing yields.

Dragons at Shrines and Temples

In Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, there is a place called 手水舎てみずや (Temizuya), where there is a stone basin with running water, and it is customary to rinse one’s hands and mouth with this water before worshipping. Many shrines and temples have water basins with dragon sculptures, designed to make it appear as if water is flowing out of the dragon’s mouth. The Temizuya serves as a place to purify the mind and body, and this representation of water flowing from the dragon makes the water feel sacred.²

Difference between 竜・龍

In Japanese Kanji, dragon is 竜 or 龍. You can read it ryu in onyomi and tatsu in kunyomi. Both 竜 and 龍 refer to dragons. 竜 is considered a simpler version of 龍. While their meanings are the same, in modern usage they are often distinguished to refer to Western dragons and Eastern dragons.

竜 for Western Dragons

Western dragons are creatures that stand on two legs, resemble lizards, have wings reminiscent of dinosaurs, and have the ability to breathe fire from their mouths. In Japanese, the kanji 竜 is often used to refer to Western dragons. 龍 is not commonly used to refer to Western dragons. Also, it is often written as ドラゴン in Katakana, as in the game ドラゴン・クエスト (Dragon Quest).

龍 for Eastern Dragons

Eastern dragons, also known as Chinese dragons, or oriental dragons typically have long, snake-like bodies covered in scales, similar to the dragons seen in the famous Japanese anime, Dragon Ball. When referring to eastern dragons, 竜 can also be used, but generally, 龍 is more common.

Which kanji should I use 龍 or 竜?

In 1981, the simpler kanji 竜 was designated as a common kanji over the more complex 龍 in Japan.³ Common Kanji, or Joyo Kanji, is a list of characters established by the Japanese government as a guideline for everyday use. As a result, 竜 is often used in everyday words, while 龍 is often limited to place names, personal names, and product names.

However, since both kanjis carry the same meaning and are widely understood by people, it’s generally acceptable to use the one you prefer for names.

What about 辰?

Some people may be familiar with 辰年たつどし, which represents the year of the dragon in the Chinese zodiac. However, it’s important to note that 辰たつ does not directly mean dragon. Originally, 辰たつ was used to measure years, months, times, and directions, and it does not directly mean a dragon.⁴

Japanese Words with 龍 or 竜

竜巻 : Tornado

竜巻たつまき means tornado. It is not written as 龍巻. In China it is said that dragons roar to summon thunderclouds and storms, and they become tornadoes that rise up and fly around freely. When a tornado occurs over water, it creates a phenomenon known as a waterspout, which twirls up water and takes on the appearance of a dragon leaping out from the water towards the dark sky, hence the name 竜巻たつまき was given.⁵

恐竜 – Dinosaur

The word 恐竜きょうりゅう refers to dinosaurs. The 恐 in 恐竜きょうりゅう means terrifying or fearsome, and 竜 means dragon. 恐龍 is not used. This term stands for dinosauria, which is the translation of the group of animals known as dinosaurs. In ancient Greek, deinos sauros meant terrible lizard, which is the origin of the word.⁶

登竜門 – Gateway to Success

The term 登竜門とうりゅうもん is used to describe a gateway to success, such as a successful career or entrance into a school. 登とう means to climb. 門もん means a gate. In China, there is a legend that at a rapids called 龍門りゅうもん(Longmen) in the upper reaches of a river called the Yellow River, a carp that climbs the Longmen will turn into a dragon. In the old days in China there was a great official named Li Jiang, and if your talent was recognized by him, it meant that you were guaranteed a successful future career. This was compared to a carp climbing up the Dragon’s Gate, 龍門りゅうもん, which is a steep water current, and the phrase 登竜門とうりゅうもん meaning climbing up the Dragon’s Gate appeared in a Chinese proverb.⁷

烏龍茶 – Oolong Tea

烏龍茶うーろんちゃ is oolong tea. This famous Chinese tea is also popular in Japan and you can find them in most vending machines and convenience stores. It is pronounced ウーロン(u-ron) in onyomi. 烏からす means crow. 茶ちゃ means tea. It is generally written as 烏龍茶, not 烏竜茶.

1. 竜神 | kotobank.jp ↩︎
2. 手水舎に龍がいるのはなぜ？ | ryujin-archives.co ↩︎
3. 常用漢字#1981年の制定時 | wikipedia.org ↩︎
4. 辰 | wikipedia.org ↩︎
5. 中国の竜 | wikipedia.org ↩︎
6. 恐竜#名称 | wikipedia.org ↩︎
7. Longmen (mythology) | wikipedia.org ↩︎