Dragon (ryū or tatsu - 龍 or 竜)

Japanese dragons are closely linked with the Chinese and Korean ones. The mane difference is that Japanese dragons have usually three claws when Chinese ones bare four or five. One might think that it is because in Japan dragons are considered as a kind of bird or flying animal, but Japanese dragons are more water or river animals. Only some of them can fly like the Hai-riyo dragon.

Unlike Western dragons, Asian ones are not necessary evil. They even represent one of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac which are also used in Japan.

It's the year of birth which determines the Chinese/Japanese zodiac sign as follows :

 

explain_photo1
A dragon fountain
explain_photo2
A dragon bas-relief in Miyajima [source]

 

 

 

Hashiokis linked to this subject :
hashioki
hashioki
hashioki
hashioki