In Japan, dragons are not just mythical creatures, but are also symbols of protection, wisdom, and nature’s power. Revered throughout Japanese history, art, and folklore, dragons appear in many forms across the cultural landscape.
One of the most common places to encounter a dragon in everyday life is at a purification fountain (手水屋; chozuya or temizuya) found at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Visitors use these fountains to wash their hands before approaching the sacred grounds to offer prayers or pay their respects. While not always the case, it is often at these fountains that we find a water spout in the shape of a dragon’s upper body.
This connection between dragons and water is no coincidence. In Japanese mythology, dragons are strongly associated with watery realms such as oceans, lakes, and rivers. This symbolism is vividly demonstrated at the Nine-Headed Dragon Shrine in Hakone, where a purification fountain features nine dragon heads overlooking Lake Ashi (Ashinoko). Another example is the legend of the golden dragon of Tanuki Shrine, which gazes out over Lake Tanuki in Shizuoka Prefecture.
Location: Ryufuku-ji Temple, Hokuto, Yamanashi, Japan
Timestamp: 2025/04/08・12:43
Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6 + CP
63 mm ISO 100 for 1/50 sec. at ƒ/5.6
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by pix4japan