Tradition: Japanese mythology
Alternative Names: Kurikara Ryūō, Kurikara Dairyu, Kurikara Dragon King, Kurikara Fudō Myōō, Kurikara Myōō, Karaka
Category: Dragon
The Myth
Kurikara Ryūō appears as a gigantic black dragon wrapped in flames, coiling around an upright sacred sword, usually a three-pronged sword, and attempting to swallow it from the tip. In other depictions his body is golden, with a jade horn growing from his forehead, while flames of samadhi surround his coiling body. His four legs are associated with four other Myōō: Gosanze Myōō, Gundari Myōō, Enmaten Myōō, and Kongōyasha Myōō.
Kurikara Ryūō is regarded as a manifestation of Fudō Myōō. His most famous legend tells of Fudō Myōō’s battle against heretics in Maheshura’s City, in the highest realm of the Form Realm. Fudō transformed himself into a sword of wisdom fire, while Chitatsu, leader of ninety-five kinds of heretics, likewise transformed into a sword of wisdom fire.
Fudō’s sword of wisdom fire then transformed into the enormous Kurikara Dragon. The dragon coiled itself around the heretics’ swords and attempted to swallow them. When it opened its mouth and breathed, the sound was so tremendous that it was compared to twenty billion thunderclaps roaring at once. The heretics heard the terrifying sound and abandoned their evil attachments.
The Kurikara Great Dragon was said to be 100,000 yojanas tall. His sacred dharani possessed immense magical power: those who recited it were believed to be able to remove misfortune and subdue demons. Praying to Kurikara Ryūō or chanting his name was likewise believed to dispel fear and evil obstacles and secure a peaceful afterlife.
Kurikara Ryūō was also believed to possess the power to drive away illness and disease and to summon clouds and control rainfall. His image was therefore used in prayers for protection from sickness and for rain.
Another legend tells of a demon king who once lived in the place that later became Kurikara Village and tormented its people. The monk Zenmui enshrined Kurikara Fudō there, and the deity subdued the demon king. The village and the mountain pass subsequently came to be known as Kurikara.
The legend further tells that Kurikara Fudō appeared from Kurikara Fudō Pond, where many miraculous events were said to have occurred. The deity thus became both the dragon coiled around the sword of wisdom and the divine protector who subdued demons, overcame evil, drove away disease, and brought protection to those who called upon him.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “俱利伽羅龍王 [くりからりゅうおう] (Kurikara Ryūō).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). February 1, 2024. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1083042301.html