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Location:
Japan, Asia
Description:
Zennyo was a Japanese dragon king. There are several stories about Zennyo.
Most stories agree that Zennyo's prefered home was in pond and lakes. He often
received prayers and offerings to produce rainfall. A common description of
Zennyo in the Shinsen'en stories is a small dragon (approximately two
meters long) with a small gold snake on his head. He also appears in human form.
Zennyo is sometimes shown as female, though this is rarer. In human form, Zennyo
may have a dragon's tail.
Other spellings and variations of the name include Zennyo Ryuo, Zen-nyo-ryu-o,
Zentatsu and Zen-tatsu.
Zennyo at Muro Pond
Zennyo was originally described as living in a pond at Mount Muro. A shrine was
built to this dragon king some time after 781-783 AD. This shrine was used to
give offerings to Zennyo in return for rain. Twin dragon models made of materiels
like straw and reeds are one such offering.
Zennyo at Shinsen'en
Shinsen'en (or Shinzen'en) had original been a garden used by the wealthy
for entertainment. At times of drought, the water from the pond had been given
to farmers so that they could irrigate their lands, meaning the pond already
had a connection to water providing. Zennyo's move was attributed to the Buddist
Shingon monks, who performed rituals which invoked the dragon's appearance. The monks
became responsible for the rainmaking rituals required to persuade or coerce
Zennyo into providing the rain. It was sightings from these monks that showed Zennyo
to be a golden dragon with a snake on his head.
As well as the Muro connection, it was claimed that Zennyo was originally one
of the dragon (or naga) kings of Anavatapta pond, the place in the Himalayas where
many rivers start.
The Dragon Caves
There is another tale that describes Zennyo coming to Muro. It is said that a
high-ranking lady fell into the pond at Sarusawa, Zennyo previous home, and drowned.
Zennyo fled to another pond at Mount Kasuga, until a body was thrown into it.
His final destination was Mount Muro, where he took residence in the local caves.
Some time later, a Buddist priest called Nittai wished to visit Zennyo. After
travelling through the caves, Nittai found a palace with a sky above it. A part of
the Buddish 'Lotus Sutra' was also here. Without appearing, Zennyo asked why he was
there. Nittai replied that he wished to see the dragon king. Zennyo gave instructions
of a place that Nittai must travel to.
Nittai left the caves and followed the instructions. As he arrived, Zennyo rose
from the ground dressed in a robe and crown. A shrine was built on that spot by
Nittai where requests for rain could be performed.
Keien and the Dragon Lady
Keien was a Buddist priest who lived as a hermit on Mount Muro, near the
Dragon Caves. One day he encountered a well-dressed woman, who concealed her face.
She asked to be taught the mundra of Buddha. He asked who she was, and received
the reply that she was the dragon Zennyo. After teaching her the mundra, he asked
to see her face. She told him that her face was too terrible to look at, but that
she would fufil the request. Streching out her little finger, which was a
dragon claw, a five coloured light came out. At this, Zennyo vanished.
Selected References: Fowler, Sherry (1997)
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