Water dragon （Suiryu)

A water dragon is a dragon that appears in various creative works and that lives underwater or symbolizes the power of water and has the power to manipulate it. Unlike sea dragons that live in the sea, it refers to dragons that appear in freshwater areas such as rivers and lakes.

In myths and folklore from around the world, dragons are often depicted as the lords or incarnations of water bodies. Famous examples include dragons and moths, which have been passed down as water gods and spirits in the East.

In Japanese mythology, the first emperor, Emperor inmu, was established between the five generations of the earth gods, who were descendants of the gods, and Tamayorihime of Yahirowamura, who was a sea god. In addition, he talks about Japanese mythology by expressing the worship of nature in the Yamatanooroti (eight-pronged serpent )of Koshi (later Etsu), which was centered on the Sea of Japan.

Ryujin (Dragon Gods) is generally called the god of water or water god. The water god has become established as an indigenous belief by mixing the ancient Japanese water god belief that existed before the spread of Buddhism and Taoism with foreign Indian Hindu gods such as dragons, kappa, and Benten (widely worshiped as a goddess of entertainment and economic fortune.).

In Japan, the dragon god has been worshiped as the god of water since ancient times. Water is the source of life for all living creatures, and water is a precious thing that connects life, and in Shinto (nature belief) it is considered a sacred thing that exorcises impurity and evil spirits.

In Japan, the dragon god has been worshiped as the god of water since ancient times. Water is the source of life for all living creatures, and water is a precious thing that connects life, and in Shinto (nature belief) it is considered a sacred thing that exorcises impurity and evil spirits.

It has been worshiped as a god for praying for a rich harvest, especially for rice cultivation, for traffic satety, maritime safety, and, in recent years, as a god for business.

About Dragon God Belief in Japan

Japan’s dragon god belief is a combination of ancient nature worship'' and traditional JapaneseShinto.”
The dragon god is said to be a being who freely travels between heaven and earth and controls the power of nature, and is worshiped at shrines as a guardian deity who protects from natural disasters that occur on earth.
He has also been worshiped as a water god who protects the human world by bringing crops to fruition and sometimes causing natural disasters to warn humans.

Reference materials

4th Asia-Pacific Water Summit Emperor Memorial Lecture
YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA5vGZ9YYlg&t=98s