Note 17 — Chapter XIX · Rival Deities of Life and Death, Sunshine and Storm

The reference to the god’s tears causing the green mountains to wither and the waters to dry up has greatly perplexed Japanese commentators. But there are statements in Asian and American mythologies regarding “evil” or “poisonous rain” distributed, to the injury of vegetation, by dragons that may be sick or badly disposed towards mankind. De Visser refers to a Buddhist legend about a poisonous Naga that guarded a big tree and killed all those who took a branch from it; when angry it sent thunder and rain.17 Central Asian legends tell that evil rains were sent out of season by disturbed and enraged dragons. A Chinese story tells of a sick dragon that, having been roused by prayers, gave “a badly-smelling rain which would have spoiled the crops if a diviner had not discovered it in time and cured the dragon at the latter’s request”. Thereupon a fertilizing rain fell and a very clear spring dashed forth from a rock.18