A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Kai Riu O rules the world beneath the sea in Griffis’s linked narratives. From his palace at Riu Gu he grants Isora two jewels requested by Jingu: one makes the tide withdraw and the other brings it back. He also sends marine creatures to support and propel her fleet through a storm. The jewels’ later use to defeat an enemy army belongs to the legend, not independently established military history.

After Jingu’s return, Takénouchi carries the infant Ojin to sea and asks the ruler to give the jewels back. A living dragon rises first, with green scales, erect spines and fiery eyes and forepaws. The narrator then specifically identifies this creature as the Sea King’s helmet. His face and jeweled robes emerge beneath it, followed by the tide jewels resting in a large haliotis shell. These successive parts should not be compressed into an entirely dragon-shaped body.

The king grants Ojin long life, martial protection and power over land and sea, then disappears beneath the water. The chapter’s account of Ojin’s age, later veneration and imperial destiny remains attributed to its historical author. The earlier intermediary and this personal appearance are different episodes, while the same jewels link them. Griffis’s English name is retained without claiming that his formulation exhausts Japanese sea-deity traditions.

Sea king who lends and restores the jewels governing the tidesSpecific English literary witness
01

Origins & earliest records

Japanese narrative in an English literary collection

02

Records & interpretation

Complete relevant chapters, endings and collection preface read.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Japanese Fairy World: Stories from the Wonder-Lore of Japan

    William Elliot Griffis · 1887

    XXXI, The Jewels of the Ebbing and the Flowing Tide, pp.273–281; XXXII, Kai Riu O, pp.282–288

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

William Elliot Griffis, Japanese Fairy World (1887 edition)

English literary collection. XXXI, The Jewels of the Ebbing and the Flowing Tide, pp.273–281; XXXII, Kai Riu O, pp.282–288

Full relevant chapters and preface read. The king grants Ojin long life, martial protection and power over land and sea, then disappears beneath the water. The chapter’s account of Ojin’s age, later veneration and imperial destiny remains attributed to its historical author. The earlier intermediary and this personal appearance are different episodes, while the same jewels link them. Griffis’s English name is retained without claiming that his formulation exhausts Japanese sea-deity traditions.

Inspect the digitized plate · Source collection manifest

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical English literary retellingGriffis, Japanese Fairy World (1887), XXXI, The Jewels of the Ebbing and the Flowing Tide, pp.273–281; XXXII, Kai Riu O, pp.282–288Research access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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