Ryū

Ryū are the dragons of Takamagahara. All the Ryū we've met so far in Tír na nÓg are small, and while intellegent, not able to communicate with humans and fae in anything more than telepathic impressions. They are mischevious and can portal to anyone they know. They love treats and treasures.

Kiyohime by Hanna Sandvig

In Mythology and Folklore:

Japanese dragons (日本の竜/龍, Nihon no ryū) are diverse legendary creatures in Japanese mythology and folklore. Japanese dragon myths amalgamate native legends with imported stories about dragons from China, Korea and the Indian subcontinent. The style and appearance of the dragon was heavily influenced by the Chinese dragon, especially the three-clawed long (龍) dragons which were introduced in Japan from China in ancient times. Like these other East Asian dragons, most Japanese ones are water deities or kami associated with rainfall and bodies of water, and are typically depicted as large, wingless, serpentine creatures with clawed feet. - Wikipedia

From The Books:

The ryū shell broke apart on Ella's lap as the little dragon pushed the walls of its former home away. The baby ryū was about as long as my outstretched hand. It didn't have wings like a dragonette would, but rather a long, lithe, scaled body with a little tuft of dark fur at the end of its tail and hints of a little feathery mane around its ears and down the center of its back. Tiny golden horns sprouted in front of its ears.

***

I had a sudden sensation of hunger, even though I had just finished a sandwich.
Ella looked at me. “Did you feel that?”
I nodded and grabbed the bowl of fish, and Ella held out a small bite to the ryū. Immediately, the dragon snatched it from her fingers with tiny sharp teeth and then chirped again. I got an unmistakable image of more fish. - The Glass Gate

Appearance: long, lithe, scaled body, tuft of fur at the end of tail, feathery mane around ears and down back, horns
Size: about the length of a hand when hatched, Grows to be about the size of a cat
Abilities: Portaling, sending impressions of their thoughts to whomever they want
Notable Individuals: Kiyohime, Mizuchi, Falcor

Pronunciation: ree-yoo

Article by Channon and Hanna