Ryà «jin (, ), which in some traditions is equivalent to à Âwatatsumi, was the tutelary deity of the sea in Japanese mythology. In many versions Ryà «jin had the ability to transform into a human shape. Many believed the god had knowledge of medicine and many considered him as the bringer of rain and thunder, Ryà «jin is also the patron god (ujigami) of several family groups.
This Japanese dragon, symbolizing the power of the ocean, had a large mouth. He is considered a good god and patron of Japan, since the Japanese population has for millennia lived off the bounty of the sea. Ryà «jin is also credited with the challenge of a hurricane which sank the Mongolian flotilla sent by Kublai Khan. Ryà «jin lived in Ryà «gà «-jà Â, his palace under the sea built out of red and white coral, from where he controlled the tides with magical Tide jewels. Sea turtles, fish, jellyfish, snakes, and other sea creatures are often seen as Ryà «jin's servants.
One legend involving Ryà «jin is the story about how the jellyfish lost its bones. According to this story, Ryà «jin wanted to eat a monkey's liver (in some versions of the story, to heal an incurable rash), and sent the jellyfish to get him a monkey. The monkey managed to sneak away from the jellyfish by telling him that he had put his liver in a jar in the forest and offered to go and get it. As the jellyfish came back and told Ryà «jin what had happened, Ryà «jin became so angry that he beat the jellyfish until its bones were crushed.
One myth involves Ryà «jin asking a man by the name of Tawara Tà Âda to help him get rid of a à Âmukade attacking his kingdom. Tawara Tà Âda agrees to help Ryà «jin and accompanies him back to his home. When Tawara Tà Âda killed the à Âmukade, Ryà «jin awarded him with legendary armours and swords, undiminishing rolls of silk, an inexhaustable bag of rice, and a bell made of crimson copper which was later hung at Miidera to tell the hour.
According to legend, the Empress Jingà « was able to carry out her attack into Korea with the help of Ryà «jin's Tide jewels. Some versions of the legend say that Empress Jingà « asked Isora to go down to Ryà «jin's palace and retrieve the Tide jewels.
Upon confronting the Korean navy, Jingà « threw the into the sea, and the tide receded. The Korean fleet was stranded, and the men got out of their ships. Jingà « then threw down the and the water rose, drowning the Korean soldiers.
Ryà «jin was the father of the beautiful princess Otohime who appears in the tale of Urashima Tarà Â, Otohime (Princess Oto)'s name consists of the character also read otsu meaning "No. 2", implying that she should also have an elder sister named "Kohime".
is a form of Shinto religious belief that worships dragons as water kami. It is connected with agricultural rituals, rain prayers, and the success of fishermen.
The god has shrines across Japan and especially in rural areas where fishing and rains for agriculture are important for local communities.