Ryujin

The Dragon King of the Sea

Ryujin (also called Watatsumi) is the dragon deity who rules the ocean from his magnificent coral palace Ryugu-jo beneath the waves. He commands all sea creatures—fish, turtles, jellyfish, and other marine life serve as his messengers and attendants. His kingdom exists in a realm where time moves differently; what seems like days underwater may be centuries on the surface.

The Tide Jewels

Ryujin possesses two powerful magical objects: the Kanju (tide-ebbing jewel) and Manju (tide-flowing jewel). These jewels control the ocean's tides and have featured prominently in Japanese legend. According to the Nihon Shoki, Empress Jingu used these jewels to defeat a Korean fleet by first drawing out the tide to strand enemy ships, then releasing a devastating tidal wave.

The Imperial Lineage

Ryujin's daughter Toyotama-hime (Jewel Princess) fell in love with the hunter Hoori (also called Yamasachi-hiko) when he visited the undersea palace searching for his brother's lost fishhook. They married, and Toyotama-hime traveled to land to give birth. However, Hoori broke his promise not to watch the birth and saw her transform into a dragon. Ashamed, she returned to the sea, leaving their son Ugayafukiaezu, who became the father of the legendary first emperor Jimmu.

Worship and Influence

Ryujin is venerated by fishermen, sailors, and coastal communities who depend on the sea's bounty and fear its wrath. Shrines to him dot the Japanese coastline, particularly at sites where underwater caves or unusual rock formations suggest gateways to his realm. The dragon imagery associated with Ryujin influenced Japanese art for centuries, appearing on temple decorations, festival floats, and royal regalia. His association with rain also made him important to agricultural communities praying for water during dry seasons.