Post by Crius on Jun 16, 2008 23:08:42 GMT -5
|| Qinglong ("Azure Dragon") - represents the wood-element, the direction east, and the season spring. ||
Japanese dragons are associated with both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, particularly those located near bodies of water where dragons supposedly reside. For example, the Lake Saiko Dragon Shrine at Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi has an annual festival and fireworks show.
|| Zhuque ("Vermilion Bird") - represents the fire-element, the direction south, and the season summer. ||
Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima or Itsukushima Island in Japan's Inland Sea was believed to be the abode of the sea-god Ryūjin's daughter. According to the Gukanshō and The Tale of Heike, the sea-dragon empowered Emperor Antoku to ascend the throne because his father Taira no Kiyomori offered prayers at Itsukushima and declared it his ancestral shrine. When Antoku drowned himself after being defeated in the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, he lost the imperial Kusanagi sword (which legendarily came from the tail of the Yamata no Orochi dragon) back into the sea. In another version, divers found the sword, which is currently housed at Atsuta Shrine. The great earthquake of 1185 was attributed to vengeful Heike spirits, specifically the dragon powers of Antoku.
|| Baihu ("White Tiger") - represents the metal-element, the direction west, and the season autumn/fall. ||
The Kinryū-no-Mai ("Golden Dragon Dance") is an annual Japanese Dragon dance performed at Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa. The dragon dancers twist and turn within the temple grounds and outside in the streets. According to legend, the Sensō Temple was founded in 628 after two fishermen found a gold statuette of Kannon in the Sumida River, at which time golden dragons purportedly ascended into heaven. The Golden Dragon Dance celebrates the temple founding and allegedly provides good fortune and prosperity.
|| Xuanwu ("Black Tortoise") - represents the water-element, the direction north, and the season winter. ||
Ryūjin shinkō ("dragon god faith") is a form of Shinto religious belief that worships dragons as water kami. It is connected with agricultural rituals, rain prayers, and the success of fishermen.
|| Ouryu ("Yellow Dragon") - represents the earth-element, the center, and the changing of the seasons. ||
But now... now that tradition is being threatened. Someone has gone around and attempted to kill all four (some say five) elemental dragons, which would upset the balance of the entire country of Japan. Who's doing this? More importantly, why are they doing this? Whatever the reason and whomever it is, the Japanese gods had better find out, and fast... before Japan is destroyed for good.
Gods of the Orient
Japanese dragons are associated with both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, particularly those located near bodies of water where dragons supposedly reside. For example, the Lake Saiko Dragon Shrine at Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi has an annual festival and fireworks show.
|| Zhuque ("Vermilion Bird") - represents the fire-element, the direction south, and the season summer. ||
Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima or Itsukushima Island in Japan's Inland Sea was believed to be the abode of the sea-god Ryūjin's daughter. According to the Gukanshō and The Tale of Heike, the sea-dragon empowered Emperor Antoku to ascend the throne because his father Taira no Kiyomori offered prayers at Itsukushima and declared it his ancestral shrine. When Antoku drowned himself after being defeated in the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, he lost the imperial Kusanagi sword (which legendarily came from the tail of the Yamata no Orochi dragon) back into the sea. In another version, divers found the sword, which is currently housed at Atsuta Shrine. The great earthquake of 1185 was attributed to vengeful Heike spirits, specifically the dragon powers of Antoku.
|| Baihu ("White Tiger") - represents the metal-element, the direction west, and the season autumn/fall. ||
The Kinryū-no-Mai ("Golden Dragon Dance") is an annual Japanese Dragon dance performed at Sensō-ji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa. The dragon dancers twist and turn within the temple grounds and outside in the streets. According to legend, the Sensō Temple was founded in 628 after two fishermen found a gold statuette of Kannon in the Sumida River, at which time golden dragons purportedly ascended into heaven. The Golden Dragon Dance celebrates the temple founding and allegedly provides good fortune and prosperity.
|| Xuanwu ("Black Tortoise") - represents the water-element, the direction north, and the season winter. ||
Ryūjin shinkō ("dragon god faith") is a form of Shinto religious belief that worships dragons as water kami. It is connected with agricultural rituals, rain prayers, and the success of fishermen.
|| Ouryu ("Yellow Dragon") - represents the earth-element, the center, and the changing of the seasons. ||
But now... now that tradition is being threatened. Someone has gone around and attempted to kill all four (some say five) elemental dragons, which would upset the balance of the entire country of Japan. Who's doing this? More importantly, why are they doing this? Whatever the reason and whomever it is, the Japanese gods had better find out, and fast... before Japan is destroyed for good.
Gods of the Orient
