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SheltieWolf — Dragon
#tradition
Published: 2013-02-25 00:41:41 +0000 UTC; Views: 37431; Favourites: 2054; Downloads: 648
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Description
A bronze statue of Fuji Sengen Jinja [富士浅間神社] in Fuji-Yoshida [富士吉田] City Japan. Asian Dragon has been one of the popular traditional motifs of Japanese religion, art and craft.
There is sometimes a dragon on Chouzubachi[手水鉢]. Chouzubachi is a water vessel which is made from stone, located in Temizuya[手水舎] of Jinja (Japanese Shinto shrine). Chouzubachi are used by worshipers for washing their left hands, right hands, mouth and finally the handle of the water ladle to purify themselves before approaching the main Shinto shrine -Shaden [社殿]-.
This dragon is a water tap at Temizuya. Temizuya is a Shinto water ablution pavilion for a ceremonial purification rite known as temizu. Temizuya is usually an open area where clear water fills one or various stone basins. Wooden dippers are usually available to worshipers.
Fuji Sengen Jinja is located at the foot of Mt.Fuji (Fujisan)[富士山] -the most famous and highest mountain in Japan-. It was an entrance of a mountain trail of Mt.Fuji. Mt.Fuji is one of mountains of gods. Ancient worshipers climbed Mt.Fuji from this Jinja.
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Comments: 221
Wow, that's absolutely gorgeous~~
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I want to be in Japan, too! It is so beautiful there!
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Yes. You must come to Japan some time.
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I would not want to meet that thing in a dark alley
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Love this!...great information as well
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Oh wow that is amazing! And the fact that he is at the foot of Mt. Fuji! I wonder how many travelers pass by. So does the number of his talons mean anything? I know that 4 or 5 clawed mean imperial but what about this one's?
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That's a good question.
Chinese dragon had five fingers. It meant imperial symbol of China.
Korean dragon had four fingers. And Japanese dragon had three fingers.
In ancient ages, Chinese had Sinocentrism. Sinocentrism was the way of thinking that China was a centre of the world. In the world of Sinocentrism, only Chinese people who had a high civilization were regarded as noble people. People in Korea and some neighbour countries were regarded as lower rank. And People in Japan and other countries which were far from China were regarded as the lowest rank. Numbers of dragons' fingers remind that ancient way of thinking.
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Here to butt in and answer you question
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Ah I see that clarifies things. Lol it's funny that they both kinda have the same view of each other. Thanks for buttin in XD
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wonderful photo and explanation, thank you!
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Thank you! ^^
And you are welcome!
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I really want to go once to Japan. It is such an awesome culture.
The statues and such <3
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Thank you!
I hope you can get a chance to visit Japan some time.
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Beautiful statue and photo. Dragons are magnificent creatures.
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Thank you! ^^
I think so too.
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So beautiful! Great photo too! I wish I could visit that place among many others in Japan!
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Thank you! ^^
You must come to Japan someday.
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I will... I definetly will someday
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This shot is breathtaking! The subject is so imposing, and its curvy shape contrasts very well with the vertical lines behind it
Regarding Japanese dragons I always wondered: while their connection with water is unquestionable as shown very well in this picture, they are often depicted with flame-like protrusions from their shoulders... is this just a symbol of nobility, or this trait has its own established myth, like the pearl held in the hand of the dragon? Or maybe it is just an artistic motif...
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Haha you completely ignored my question, but well.. you're welcome
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I don't know it well. But I heard that pearl ball of the dragon was a crystal of his power. His shoulder's flame is probably his symbol of the element.
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a mighty chinese dargon:3 wonderful ^_^
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True justice would be to fav the guy who did the statue... But sadly our Internet doesn't connect to heaven.
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I wish gods will also enjoy internet with us. I will hear their preaching.
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If gods were on the Internet, there would definitely be problems with trolls and fakers...
Even more than now, I mean.
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Fantastic picture! Love your documentations of Japan *w* Can't get enough of it! And dragons!! <3 My nickname is actually dragon in Chinese XD
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Thank you very much!
I will submit photos and journals which introduce Japanese culture and tradition.
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Nice statue and an interesting story behind it.
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Immer wieder gerne, mein Freund ^^
Im Übrigen finde ich es sehr schön, dass du uns deine Heimat etwas näher bringst und einige Sehenswürdigkeiten vorstellst, denn nicht gerade viele können sich eine Reise nach Japan wirklich leisten.
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Wow, that looks amazing! A fascinating history to it as well.
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