How to paint RYUJIN（龍神）on YouTube
The difference between RYUJIN (龍神) and Dragon
The difference between 龍(Ryu) and Dragon
I started painting 龍(Ryu) and now I am attracted to 龍(Ryu）.
When we try to translate 龍(Ryu) into English, it is often said “dragon”.
However, dragons in European countries and 龍(Ryu) in Eastern countries like Japan are totally different.
In eastern countries and Japan, 龍(Ryu) is called “RYUJIN” and it is a god.
On the other hand, in European countries, dragon is a bad evil creature.
They look alike but they are not the same.
Dragon has wings and its face is more like a lizard, on the other hand, RYUJIN’s face is more like a snake.
What is in common is, they are both imaginary reptile creatures.
Personally, I like Japanese RYUJIN better, as RYUJIN has a longer body and looks cool.
Japanese RYUJIN can often be seen at temples or shrines.
At the entrance of temples and shrines, there is a water running spot, called “Temizusha”(手水舎).
This is a place to cleanse our hands and mouth before entering temples and shrines.
There, you can see water is running from RYUJIN’s mouth.
RYUJIN has been believed to be a god which brings rain and brings good harvest.
We see many Kakejiku paintings of RYUJIN going up to the sky, surrounded with rain clouds which RYUJIN created by itself.
There is also a sacred ball which RYUJIN holds.
It is called “Cintamani stone”, which makes your dream come true.
RYUJIN god is a very precious, good luck symbol.
That is why we have RYUJIN god Kakejiku hanging scrolls hung in the house since ancient times.
By the way, why does good luck god have that scary face…?
Hanging RYUJIN Kakejiku hanging scroll doesn’t make kids get scared at night…?
But there is a reasonable reason.
In order to fight and get away the evil spirit, RYUJIN has such a scary face.
Same as Tiger Kakejiku.
We often see Tiger glared at us with its powerful scary eyes on Kakejiku.
That is to fight and get away the evil spirit.
Anyway, I am attracted to RYUJIN,
and my RYUJIN art is increasing little by little…
“RYUJIN god is a god of water. Human beings cannot live without water. That means we human cannot live without RYUJIN god.”
Drawing RYUJIN god is a great practice of life for me.
Guardian god Tiger on Kakejiku art
Tiger on Kakejiku art
Tigers are one of the very popular subjects on Japanese Kakejiku art.
Kakejiku is Japanese traditional hanging scroll.
It is hung on the wall in Japanese style room, especially on alcove “Tokonoma”, since ancient time.
Tiger is a powerful animal, and Tiger painting on kakejiku has an important meaning.
When tiger is glaring at this way, that means tiger is glaring at the evil in your place.
Tiger’s powerful eyes are believed to have the power to beat the evil.
So tiger’s scary expression is protecting your place and the people living in your place.
Tiger painting Kakejiku has a strong good luck power.
Miniature 3D koi fish Japanese world
There are so many Koi ponds in Japan everywhere and you can enjoy seeing beautiful Koi fish swimming.
We use Koi fish paintings on many art crafts, such as Kakejiku hanging scrolls, Kimono patterns, dishes, etc, as Japanese good luck symbols.
Japanese people have a strong connection with Koi fish since ancient time.
Especially, “Nishiki goi” koi fish is beautiful and highly valued.
Red & white color (sometimes with black) Koi fish is a popular Nishiki goi.
Golden color Koi fish is also a kind of “Nishiki goi”, and is believed to bring us a wealth.
So making miniature 3D koi fish is very important for me.
I can create a miniature 3D beautiful Japanese world in jewelry with them.
Also, Using this good luck symbol Koi fish, and adding power stones, I can make the jewelry a powerful good luck charm.
I love to imagine people wearing my good luck jewelry and being happy!
3D painting Japanese world art in jewelry
I always love to express Japanese beauty and symbols in art, such as paintings and jewelry.
Making Japanese scenery in 3D paintings in accessories is one of my favorite ways of expressing them.
Using resin allows me to make 3D world, by applying paintings in different layers.
It takes time and energy, but the slow procedure of making 3D painting jewelry excites me all the time.
And when it’s done, my affection to these jewelries becomes the special one.
Drawing good luck Japanese symbols, such as Mt. Fuji, Sakura cherry blossoms and Koi fish, and adding power stones, I can make these jewelry into special good luck items.
Crane bird – Japanese healthy long life good luck symbol
Crane bird － Japanese healthy long life symbol
Crane birds are beautiful big white birds with a little bit of black color on wings and necks.
Even though we don’t get to see them often, crane birds are very familiar for many of Japanese people.
Crane birds are often used as a symbol of good luck and healthy long life.
Especially at the cerebration occasions, we see crane bird pictures and decorations.
On new year day, we use items with crane bird pictures, such as kimono, special black box for special new year food called “osechi”, new year cards called “nengajo”.
We turn on TV on a new year day, we see many CMs using crane birds fling toward Mt. Fuji.
On wedding, brides wear special wedding kimono with beautiful crane bird embroidery.
Crane birds are often be seen with Mt. Fuji on these occasions, as Mt. Fuji is also another good luck symbol.
It is funny that I have never seen actual crane birds, but they have been very familiar birds to me since I was small.
They are beautiful and my favorite birds.
Drawing Japanese Koi pond
Most of Japanese gardens have Koi pond.
Koi pond is the symbol of Japanese garden.
There are stones around Koi pond, sometimes there is even a stone bridge over the koi pond.
Pine trees, bamboo trees and other trees are around the pond.
In the water, usually colorful koi fish called “Nishiki goi” are swimming.
The color is gold, white, silver, red, orange, black, etc.
And especially red & white combination koi fish is highly valued.
We consider Koi fish as a good luck symbol.
Koi fish is believed to bring us a good luck as well as prosperity.
Just looking at those koi fish swimming in the water is very soothing.
Drawing koi fish has the same healing effect as meditation does to me.
They are beautiful and always give me the enthusiasm to draw them.
