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The dragon is associated with Buddhism, Shinto and a wealth of legends as a harbinger of fertility, bliss and imperial power.
The Dragon King of the Sea lives in a palace in the depth of the ocean from which he controls the weather and tides.
The dragon is often described to be the most powerful mythical creature.
In esoteric Buddhism, the dragon and double-edged sword, entwined together as the kurikara, symbolize the spiritual lasso and sword of the deity Fudo Myoo (Sanskrit, Acala "The Immovable One"), in Japanese especially revered by the samurai.
The dragon is an imperial symbol and foremost of the four divine animals.
For a similar work by the same artist in the collection of the British Museum, see Harada Kazutoshi, ed., Jizai Okimono / Articulated Iron Figures of Animals, Rokusho 11, special edition (2010), no. 6.
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