Ryu

Japan

Quieter than its continental cousin, the Japanese dragon lives in mist-shrouded lakes and sacred peaks. It brings rain, guards waterways, and vanishes into mountain air.

Associated With

Lakes, storms, mountain spirits, rainfall

Atmosphere

In these islands, dragons sleep in lakes, storms, and sacred mountain air.

Print Museum Card Ryu illustration

Name

Ryu

Japanese

Region

Japan

Early chronicles to later shrine and folk tradition

Atlas Context

This entry is part of Where Dragons Dwell, an interactive atlas of dragon myths and sacred serpent traditions across world cultures.