Japan Shinto Shrine Dragon

I spotted this wonderful dragon carving while visiting a Shinto shrine in the Japanese port city of Shimizu. The shrine is called Minowa Inari Jinja as is nestled amidst a community of old homes and shop along the river and just inland from the sea. I visited the shrine on the last day of the year in 2009 and I was able to experience a slightly excited atmosphere as the shrine prepared for many visitors later in the evening and in the hours leading up to midnight. Traditional music was being played over loudspeakers and on an impulse I captured this brief footage of the dragon carving above the shrine's business entrance. Dragons are called ryuu in Japanese and I always enjoy encountering their images in art, carvings and sculpture whenever I go exploring in Japan.

The area around this shrine was the birthplace and home to Japan's Robin Hood character Shimizu no Jirocho (1820-1893). Over 100 films have been produced in Japan telling the story of Jirocho's life and times and how he organized and helped the city of Shimizu make the transition from a feudal community to a modern city in the new and open Japan.

Regarding the object clutched in the dragon's claw the following information from YouTube user "TacNguyen" helps explain the meaning:

"it was believed the ball or pearl represents the dragon's reign over all rivers, lakes and seas and held all of the dragons power within. In some stories a pearl was given to a magistrate after saving the life of the serpent son of the dragon king. In others stories mostly in Korea the stone or jewel is embedded on the dragons forehead and had healing abilities."

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Japan
• Japanese
• Shinto
• shrine
• jinja
• dragon
• ryuu
• carving
• Tokaido
• Softypapa

[aaronlovestruth]

what is the ball the dragon holds for?

[softypapa]

@aaronlovestruth I'm afraid that I am unaware of the meaning of the ball. Sorry. ~Kurt :-)

[Skaijo]

Hey Kurt,

How do shrines such as these "stay in business"? I mean they always see so clean and well kept--and if they "open" for the public, some group has to do that, right?

[softypapa]

Hello Skaijo, Your's is an excellent question though I am not sure if I know enough to give you a satisfactory answer. I believe that some shrines (such as the one in this video) are privately owned and managed while others are managed by a collective organization or group. In both cases though the shrines rely on donations and volunteer work for upkeep and maintenance as well as for help during festivals. I wish I knew more though I hope this info is helpful to you. -Kurt :-)

[BlueMew]

Awesome! I love dragons! Have you seen any more dragon related art in shrines?

[softypapa]

Hello BlueMew, Thank you for your comment. I'm sorry for my long delay in response. I don't often see dragon images at shrines though I seem to recall some paintings adorning the ceiling of a few Buddhist temples I have visited. I will certainly keep my eyes open for more dragons at Shinto shrines. Thanks again for watching and commenting! -Kurt :-)

[Shetyre]

@aaronlovestruth

you know what ball its holding to :P

ITSA DWAGON BAWW

[IAMSILVERHORN]

@softypapa Its The Dragon Ball :U

[sergio311]

@aaronlovestruth an orb with a sertain trait kanji inside, like the word ,strength, :p

[bottomOFair]

@jedihunter176 three major religions in Jpn? 1~2% of japanese in christianity and 90% are in shinto, and 90% are in buddhism too. its called sinbutsu-syuugo(amalgamation of kami and buddhas). and funny thing is that most of us dont believe any god thingy actually. you cau say japanese are kinda atheists.

[jin54363]

@aaronlovestruth

i think that ball is the ball of wisdom

[tazira1]

@softypapa I read in a dragon book that the ball was it's egg. That's what it might be

[SaintLouisX]

@aaronlovestruth In Japan, Pokemon catch you.

[jackywong77777]

@aaronlovestruth Its an fire ball, some time it hold it with its mouth some time it hold it with it's claw. LOLS\s

[jedihunter176]

@vendettaseve What do you mean? Christianity is one of the three major religions out there in Japan.

[vendettaseve]

@jedihunter176 Sort of yes, it was a very well written rebuttal. I agree on some points and I am thankful Japan isnt a destitute country where the disease would spread like wildfire.