It’s bananas how some of my best pieces come out of work art jams. This was a piece done in 2021 for a Smaugust art jam. Everyone got a prompt, and mine was Koi! I’ve always liked the look of the Japanese Koinobori, so was inspired to make a new dragon species based on them.

Koinoboryu 🐲🐟

One of the rarest species of dragon to evolve in harmony with humankind is colloquially named the Koinoboryu, a play on the term ‘Koinobori’ referring to carp decorated wind socks and the Japanese term ‘Ryu’ meaning dragon. Notoriously shy these peaceful creatures filter feed on bugs and flying insects as they drift on strong breezes. They have occasionally been known to catch small fish which jump too high out of rivers and ponds.

Despite their illusive natures they like to perch alongside koinobori flags using their long and sturdy whiskers to anchor them to the pole. Here they blend in almost perfectly with the painted carp patterns and only children and true believers can pick out the dragon amongst the koi.

To trap or kill a Koinoboryu is considered terrible fortune as it is said they summon and command the breezes they ride on and without them the winds would stop completely. Legend says that Koinobori which are torn free from their poles will be taken in by the Koinoboryu and reborn into dragons.