Raijin

thumb|Sculpture of Raijin from [[Sanjūsangen-dō temple in Kyoto.<br>Kamakura period, 13th century]]

, also known as , , , , and Kamowakeikazuchi-no-kami is a god of lightning, thunder, and storms in Japanese mythology and the Shinto and Buddhist religion. He is typically depicted with fierce and aggressive facial expressions, standing atop a cloud, beating on den-den daiko drums with tomoe symbols drawn on them. Iconography of Raijin are often found in Japanese temples and shrines. He is usually depicted alongside his twin-brother, Fūjin, the god of wind, or with his son, Raitarō, a fellow thunder god like himself, or with his animal companion, a Raijū. Another fellow Shinto god (Kami) of storms is their brother, Susanoo-no-Mikoto.

Etymology

The name "Raijin" is derived from the Japanese words and .

Description

thumb|Raijin by [[Katsushika Hokusai<br>Hanging scroll painting, 1834–1849]]

Raijin is often depicted with a fierce, frightening face and a muscular figure with gravity-defying hair. He is surrounded by Taiko drums that he plays to create the sound of thunder. Raijin holds large hammers in his hands that he uses to play the drums. In some cases, Raijin is portrayed with three fingers which are said to represent the past, present and future. Two of the most notable sculptures of Raijin are located in the Sanjusangendo temple and the Taiyuin Rinnoji temple.

Raijin and Fujin reside side by side in the Kaminarimon gate that guards the entrance to the Sanjusangendo temple. These sculptures are made of wood with lacquer, gold leaf and paint along with crystal, inlaid eyes. The Raijin and Fujin sculptures in Sanjusangendo are considered national treasures.

In the Taiyuin Rinnoji temple, Raijin and Fujin are located in the Niten-mon gate. They are made of wood with paint and are seen with their token talismans, Raijin's drums and Fujin's wind bag.

Raijin is also often seen in the company of his brother, Fujin, and his son, Raitaro.

Capture of Raijin

Another story describes Raijin as a mischief-maker, causing the destruction leading the Emperor to order Sugaru (the God Catcher) to imprison Raijin and deliver him to the in order to stop a storm. Sugaru first petitioned Raijin in the name of the emperor to give himself over willingly and cease the storm, to which Raijin laughs at Sugaru. Sugaru then prays to Kannon, Kannon ordered Raijin to let Sugaru, then she later delivered Raijin to him. Sugaru then tied him up in a sack and took him to the Emperor. Under the control of Sugaru and the emperor, Raijin was forced to stop his destruction and bring only rain and bounty to Japan.

Genealogy

thumb|right|300px|Detail of Raijin from [[Wind God and Thunder God (Kōrin)|Wind God and Thunder God, a folding screen by Ogata Kōrin.<br>Edo period, circa 1700. Based on an original by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.]]

Raijin has many siblings, most notably, Fujin (the god of wind), Kagutsuchi (the god of fire), Susanoo (the god of the sea and storms), Tsukuyomi (god of the moon), and Amaterasu (the goddess of the sun). Raijin also has a son named Raitaro.

Modern role

Some Japanese parents tell their children to hide their belly buttons during thunderstorms so that Raijin does not take them away and eat them.

Raijin also appears in the kabuki play Narukami, in which he is imprisoned under a pool of water, thus causing a drought.

Gallery

Tawaraya Sōtatsu - God of Thunder (Raijin) - 2004.86 - Cleveland Museum of Art.tif|Folding screen depicting Raijin alone, by Tawaraya Sōtatsu (1570–1640).

Wind God and Thunder God Screens by Tawaraya Sotatsu hi-res.png|Folding screen depicting Raijin (left) and Fūjin (right), by Tawaraya Sōtatsu.

Raijin netsuke - Masatsugu Kaigyokusai.jpg|Netsuke depicting Raijin, by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813–1892)

Raiden and Son, okimono by Kogetsu, Japan, 1868-1912 AD, boxwood - Spurlock Museum, UIUC - DSC06037.jpg|Okimono depicting Raijin and son. Meiji period, 1868–1912.

Khalili Collection Japanese Meiji Art S052 CROP.jpg|Raijin with drums on an earthenware vase. Meiji period, 19th century.

Japanese Fireman's Coat And Raijin Design, 19th century (Back).jpg|Japanese fireman's coat depicting Raijin on the back. 19th century.

Masaharu - Kashira with Raijin, God of Thunder - Walters 511019 - Top.jpg|Sword pommel depicting Raijin. Edo period, 1800–1500.

Raijin, the God of Thunder, frightens the Russians out of Tokuriji (near Nanshan) LCCN2009630471.jpg|Raijin frightens the Russians out of Tokuriji, during the Battle of Nanshan. Propagandistic print by Kobayashi Kiyochika, 1904.

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