Shocking! Real! The specimen of the dragon stolen by Japanese people from China! [Picture Group]
The rare dragon specimen is housed in the Zuiryuji Temple in Osaka. According to legend, during the Meiji 11th year of the Shogunate era, it was brought from China to Japan. About 370 years ago, a Japanese merchant acquired it from a Chinese port and sold it to Mandaič—¤Beiei for his collection. Mandaič—¤Beiei cherished it immensely.
The creature is about 1 meter long, has horns on its head, long whiskers by its mouth, and enormous eyes. It only has three claws, which suggests it might be a water-dwelling jiaolong (a type of dragon)! Its hind legs are small due to degeneration, and its snake-like back is covered in scales. The entire body is coated with golden lacquer and has undergone a preservation process to make it into a specimen. Compared to dragons in legends, this one appears rather small, likely being a young and not yet fully grown dragon.
