The Jewel from the Dragon’s Neck: Chasing Japanese Myth
Japanese folklore is replete with magical items, divine creatures, and heroic quests. However, few stories capture the imagination quite like The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Taketori Monogatari). Central to this narrative are five impossible tasks assigned to five noble suitors. Among these tasks, perhaps the most perilous and visually evocative is the quest for the Jewel from the Dragon’s Neck (Ryū no Kubi no Tama).
For cultural enthusiasts and travelers fascinated by the mystique of ancient Japan, understanding this legend offers a window into the Heian-era mindset regarding nature, bravery, and the folly of greed.
Origins of the Impossible Request
The story dates back to the late 9th or early 10th century, found in Taketori Monogatari, which is considered the oldest extant Japanese narrative. The protagonist, Princess Kaguya (Kaguya-hime), is a celestial being found inside a glowing bamboo stalk. As she grows into a woman of unparalleled beauty, she attracts suitors from across the land, including five high-ranking princes and officials.
Unwilling to marry any of them, Kaguya devises a series of impossible challenges. She demands that each suitor bring her a legendary item to prove their worth. To the Great Counselor Otomo no Miyuki, she assigns the task of retrieving a five-colored jewel that supposedly glitters from the neck of a dragon. Unlike the other items, which were rare treasures, this request required confronting a beast that symbolized the raw, terrifying power of nature.
The Legend: Otomo’s Folly
The narrative of Otomo no Miyuki is a satirical look at arrogance and cowardice. Upon receiving the request, the Great Counselor confidently accepts, claiming that since dragons dwell in the ocean and he has access to ships, the task should be simple.
He gathers his servants and commands them to slay a dragon and retrieve the jewel. However, his servants, knowing the absurdity and danger of the task, take his money and flee or idle away their time. Impatient, Otomo sets sail himself to oversee the hunt.
Soon, a violent storm engulfs his ship. The crew warns him that the dragon is wrathful because of his murderous intent. Terrified and seasick, Otomo prays desperately to the dragon, promising to abandon the quest if his life is spared. The storm subsides, but Otomo is washed ashore, ragged, sick, and humiliated. He returns home not with a jewel, but with two bloodshot eyes from his ordeal. The story ends with a pun, mocking his failure and his inability to secure the princess’s hand.
Modern Culture and Interpretations
Today, the “Jewel from the Dragon’s Neck” remains a potent symbol in Japanese pop culture, representing a goal that is unattainable or a test of character.
- Studio Ghibli: In Isao Takahata’s masterpiece The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, the segment featuring Otomo represents the friction between human hubris and the sublime power of nature. The visual depiction of the dragon and the storm is one of the film’s most intense sequences.
- Video Games: The item often appears as a high-level crafting material or a quest item in RPGs like the Touhou Project series or Okami, serving as a nod to the ancient text.
- Literature: The story is a staple in Japanese education, teaching the lesson that wealth and status cannot conquer nature.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Legend
While you cannot visit a dragon’s lair, travelers can immerse themselves in the world of Kaguya-hime and the celestial lore of Japan through several destinations:
1. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Kyoto)
To understand where Kaguya came from, visit the towering bamboo groves of Arashiyama. Walking through the green stalks, it is easy to imagine a glowing light revealing a moon princess.
2. Fuji City (Shizuoka Prefecture)
Fuji City has deep ties to the Kaguya legend (as the princess eventually returns to the moon, and the smoke from Mt. Fuji is said to be from the Emperor burning her elixir of immortality). The Fuji City Museum often features exhibits on local folklore.
3. Ryūan-ji (The Temple of the Dragon at Peace)
Located in Osaka (Minoh Park), this temple is associated with dragon worship. While not the specific site of Otomo’s failure, temples with “Ryu” (Dragon) in the name often feature stunning dragon artwork on their ceilings, giving you a glimpse of the creature Otomo feared.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to delve deeper into the classical texts that preserve these myths, the following historical works are essential:
- Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter): The primary source of the legend. Several English translations are available, including those by Donald Keene.
- Konjaku Monogatarishū: A collection of tales from the late Heian period that often references supernatural occurrences and dragon lore.
- Man’yōshū: Japan’s oldest collection of poetry, which provides context on how the Japanese viewed the moon and celestial beings during the era when Kaguya’s story was formed.