"Thunder God", also known as 雷様, 雷電様, 鳴る神, 雷公, and '''Kamowakeikazuchi-no-kami''' is a [[god]] of [[lightning]], [[thunder]], and [[storms|Storm]] in Japanese mythology and the [[Shinto]] and [[Buddhist|Buddhism]] religion.
Etymology
The name "Raijin" is derived from the Japanese words meaning "thunder"; on-reading
rai and meaning "god"; on-reading
shin or
jin.
Description
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.
Mythology
Birth
In the myths recorded in the Kojiki, after
Izanami died from the wounds inflicted on her by the birthing of Hinokagutsutchi, her husband
Izanagi followed her down into
Yomi no Kuni, the land of darkness. When he asked her to come with him, Izanami responded that she cannot leave, because she had already eaten from the food there. As Izanagi followed her all the way to Yomi, to try to fulfill his wish that she go with him, Izanami returned to her palace to negotiate with the residing kami. Izanami was gone for several hours, which made Izanagi worried for her. Thus, after making fire on the tip of his comb, he entered the palace.
There, Izanagi found Izanami's corpse. On her body maggots gathered, and on her head arose 大雷神, on her chest 火雷神, in her stomach 黒雷神, on her vagina 咲雷神, in her left hand 若雷神, in her right hand 土雷神, on her left leg 鳴雷神 and on her right leg 伏雷神; collectively called 火雷大神.
Upon seeing Izanami's twisted body, Izanagi fled from Yomi, shaken and in terror. In shame of allowing him to see her unsightly form, Izanami sent Raijin and several female demons to chase after Izanagi, after he fled the image of her rotting form, to bring him back to Yomi.
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
Guanyin, 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.
Defending Japan
In one legend, Raijin is shown to defend Japan against the invading
Mongols. In this legend, the Mongols are driven off by a vicious storm in which Raijin is in the clouds throwing lightning and arrows at the invaders.
Genealogy
Raijin has many siblings, most notably, Fujin (the god of wind),
Kagu-tsuchi (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
Navel during
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.
See also
-
Dian Mu (Chinese), goddess of lightning
-
Izanagi (Japanese), one of the divine pair of creation deities
-
Izanami (Japanese), one of the divine pair of creation deities
-
Lei Gong (Chinese), god of thunder
-
Parjanya (Hindu), god of rain, thunder and lightning
-
Sanjūsangen-dō (Japanese temple)
-
Tachibana Dōsetsu
-
Kintarō
-
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden WW2 interceptor named for Raiden.
External links
