Kyoto, the city where the dragon god lives
[Kyoto, the city where the dragon god lives]
"Kyoto" is the 1,000-year-old capital where dragons live.
In Kyoto, where the atelier where the Kyoto Ichibuchi Dragon is painted is located, dragons have been passed down as imaginary beings that have been believed to answer people's prayers and protect the city from disasters for over 1,000 years. Kyoto has long been believed to have the power of dragon gods residing in dragon holes and dragon veins, and there are many shrines and temples associated with dragons, and pilgrimages to dragon gods have been popular since ancient times to the present day.
[Dragons in Japan (Dragon Belief)]
The Japanese archipelago is said to resemble a dragon , and since ancient times Japan has been considered a mysterious country where dragons reside.
There is a theory that the character for "dragon" originated from the depiction of the dragon's divine appearance , with its long, undulating body covered in scales.
In Japan, dragons are believed to possess exceptional intelligence and great power, and are worshipped as messengers of the gods or as gods themselves .
There are also many shrines, temples, and sacred places associated with dragons that worship the dragon god and possess paintings such as the Cloud Dragon Painting and the One-Stroke Dragon.
Since ancient times, it has been worshipped and revered as a dragon god, and is considered a symbol of prosperity and protection .
[Various theories and examples of benefits/protection based on myth, history, legend, and reasons (including causes)]
The dragon is a symbol of fertile earth, imperial power, creativity, etc., and is the guardian of hidden treasures (wisdom, happiness, longevity).
As a powerful flying beast, it has long been a symbol of good fortune and vitality.
Dragons have been a symbol of longevity and prosperity since ancient times. Their long lifespan and graceful movements remind people of a happy life, and anything that has the shape or image of a dragon is said to bring good fortune and success.
In ancient legends, the dragon is a symbol of the fulfillment of wishes and success , and anything that uses a dragon as a symbol opens the way to the fulfillment of wishes and success.
The rising dragon means rising , and the descending dragon brings happiness.
*The jewel held by Kyoto Hitofuda-ryu is said to grant various wishes.
Increased financial luck : The dragon god is said to protect wealth and treasure, and is believed to bring good fortune in terms of financial luck, business prosperity, corporate prosperity, and development.
● Good luck and improved fortune : The strength and mystical power of the Dragon God brings good luck and the power to overcome difficulties. Belief in the Dragon God is said to bring mental stability. The Dragon God's energy gives believers peace of mind and calm, helping them maintain mental tranquility even in turbulent and difficult situations.
● Health and longevity : The dragon god is also considered a symbol of vitality, and is a type of object of worship when praying for health and longevity.
● Matchmaking and family safety : The dragon god bestows blessings on those who pray for peace and prosperity in their families, marital harmony, and good relationships.
● Protection of water : The dragon god is the god of water, and is believed to have the power to calm droughts and floods. This is why the dragon god is often worshipped in agriculture, fishing, and rainmaking. In addition, deepening one's connection with nature through worship of the dragon god can foster feelings of gratitude for the natural environment.
[Dragons and the Spirit of Japan]
The thunder and lightning that occur when the dragon descends are said to bring rain that is a blessing for the rice, and the electricity from heaven is said to have the effect of reducing and purifying the air .
A stronger form of thunder is called lightning, which is also written as the "wife" of rice, and has been considered an indispensable and irreplaceable element of rice since ancient times.
The rice receives energy from heaven from this. In fact, it is said that if there is a lot of thunder in the summer, there will be a good harvest , and this phenomenon is the reason for this.
It is the "dragon" that travels across time and space that brings these important "thunder" and "lightning."
This is why Teshima Keisuke, the artist of the single-stroke dragon, often includes lightning bolts and splashes of water in his single-stroke dragon paintings.
The character "wa" which represents Japan is written with the "rice" radical and the "mouth" character, and represents a people who eat rice.
The color of rice is also what gave the country of gold ZIPANG its name. The skin color of the Asian race is also said to be the color of rice.
Rice is the soul of the Japanese people, our DNA, and our life.
For this reason , the dragon, which grows rice and is the root of the Japanese people, has been a precious and important lucky charm and has existed as the dragon god in the hearts of many people since ancient times.
There are many different theories and other views regarding the above myths, traditions, history, legends, reasons (including origins), customs, and benefits/protections.
In this document, we will explain the supervision provided by our secretariat and various cooperating parties.
If there are any differences in meaning or opinions, we kindly ask for your understanding.
*The images used on this page include licensed image materials.