Tradition: Japanese mythology
Alternative Names: Ryūtōki, Ryutoki, Dragon Lantern Demon
Category: Demon
The Myth
Ryūtōki is a muscular, verdigris-colored demon with a large lantern resting on its head. A dragon is wrapped around its upper body, and Ryūtōki grips the dragon by its tail. It is approximately 80 centimeters tall.
Ryūtōki was created to illuminate the area before the Buddha. Unlike the usual depiction of demons in Buddhist art as beings trampled beneath guardian deities such as the Nio and the Four Heavenly Kings, Ryūtōki is portrayed as an independent demon entrusted with carrying a lantern before the Buddha.
Ryūtōki was one of two demon figures associated with the West Golden Hall of Kōfuku-ji, together with Tentoki. The two demons form a deliberate contrast: Tentoki is red, has its mouth wide open, and is associated with the A-form, while Ryūtōki is blue, keeps its mouth tightly closed, and is associated with the Un-form. Their different postures are regarded as a contrast between movement and stillness.
Sources
Takahashi, Toshihiro. “龍燈鬼 [りゅうとうき] (Ryūtōki).” 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑 (New TYZ Yokai Encyclopedia). October 21, 2025. https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1085533967.html