nine-headed dragon
A mythological creature from Japanese folklore, often associated with water and serpentine forms. The name is also used for places and fictional characters.
The Kuzuryū is a nine-headed dragon that appears in Japanese mythology.
The Kuzuryū River is also the name of a river flowing through Fukui Prefecture.
Standard modern spelling using 竜.
Traditional spelling using 龍; often seen in older texts or artistic contexts.
From 九 (ku, 'nine') + 頭 (zu, 'head') + 竜/龍 (ryū, 'dragon'). The reading くずりゅう is a compound of these elements.