Tatsu is the Japanese zodiac name for the Dragon.
The Japanese zodiac, or eto, uses twelve animal signs derived historically from the Chinese zodiac. In Japanese, the Dragon is called Tatsu. The sign appears fifth in the usual sequence: Ne (Rat), Ushi (Ox), Tora (Tiger), U (Rabbit), Tatsu (Dragon), Mi (Snake), Uma (Horse), Hitsuji (Goat), Saru (Monkey), Tori (Rooster), Inu (Dog), and I (Boar).
The Japanese zodiac retains the same twelve-animal structure but has developed its own pronunciations, customs, and calendrical usage. Japanese New Year celebrations generally follow the Gregorian calendar, while the traditional zodiac sign still identifies the animal associated with the year.
A frequent source of confusion is the Japanese sign I. It corresponds to the Pig in the Chinese zodiac but is commonly translated as Boar in Japanese zodiac lists. Tatsu, however, has a stable and direct correspondence with Dragon.