In one memorable case, Raijins power even saved the country. This gave him a complicated personality and imagery as he was fully divine but born to a vengeful spirit in the Underworld. For other uses, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, Netsuke: masterpieces from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Raijin&oldid=1138430768, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from September 2020, All articles needing additional references, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 17:14. Rice that had been struck by lightning was thought to be more fertile and lead to a bountiful food supply. The popularity and widespread depiction of this thunder god is a sure sign of the respect these islander people have for stormy weather. God Of Thunder And Lightning - A Powerful Deity In Many Cultures Raijin has many counterparts around the world. Every Japanese person knows what Raijin is supposed to look like, since there are statues and pictures of him all over Japan. The two are often pictured with other kami, as well. site design/coding 2023 The White Goddess:v4.0.0 :21/08/2012. He is depicted as a red demon beating drums to create thunder. In Hajime no Ippo, Ippo earns the nickname Fuujin and Ichiro earns the nickname Raijin. In less formal scenes, the brothers are sometimes shown fighting one another. Ashni (Sanskrit origin) name means "lightning" and has its mentions in the Holy Vedas. The Raijin and Fujin sculptures in Sanjusangendo are considered national treasures. Powers: Control of thunder and lightning. He is usually pictured alongside his brother Fujin, the wind god, who is similarly monstrous-looking. While they were said to still sometimes struck the wrong target, this system used observations of the natural world to explain how storms form and what people saw during them. In the World Of Warcrafts Mists of Pandaria Expansion Pack, the completion of the final Throne of thunder heroic raid awards a bonus boss for the high-end raiders who have finished the main zone progression. Indeed, this period of Macedonian hegemony allowed the Greek culture to spread in the East. When Izanagi returned, he produced three noble children: from his left eye came Amaterasu, the sun goddess; from his right eye the moon god Tsukiyomi no Mikoto; and from his nose, Susanowo, the sea god. On her body maggots gathered, and on her head arose Great Raijin (), on her chest Fire Raijin (), in her stomach Black Raijin (), on her vagina Blossoming Raijin (), in her left hand Young Raijin (), in her right hand Soil Raijin (), on her left leg Roaring Raijin () and on her right leg Bending Raijin (); collectively called Ho-no-Ikadzuchi-no-Kami (). The first use of this archetype was an appearance with other Eastern elemental gods in the 1986 film Big Trouble in Little China, though Lei Gong, a similar Chinese god, might have influenced the character in the film. The threatening god was seen almost immediately as Japans protector. One of her daily tasks was to throw out the rice husks that were too hard for her aged mother to chew. Raijin is one of the most important gods in Japanese mythology and one scary-looking guy. In painting and sculpture, he's depicted holding a hammer and surrounded by drums, which produce thunder and lightning. Izanami ("she who invites you to enter") is a primordial goddess and personification of the Earth and darkness. Learn Religions. Raijin features in many video games and Japanese cartoons. He is typically depicted as a demon-looking spirit beating drums to create thunder, usually with the symbol tomoe drawn on the drums. Benzaiten is a Japanese water goddess of fertility and flowof rivers and waters, language and poetry, music, dance, and abundant wealth and good fortune. Finally, Ill end by explaining how these two deities have, even today, a major role in Japanese culture. Like many gods, Raijin went by other names in some works. Born after his mother Izanami died, Raijin himself is a being of death. One day, Lei Gong, the god of thunder, passed over their village. Gill, N.S. Although such storms are no longer seen as a form of divine wrath, the legacy of Leizi and her companions lives on in these major weather events. The Japanese believe that the thunder god is responsible for a bountiful harvest, so Raijin is still worshipped and prayed to. Lei Gong had been giving the job of punishing wrongdoers by the Jade Emperor, but he did not always fulfill his task well. Shinto: The Kami Way. He is also shown in the company of Raiju, a thunder-beast or thunder demon which also acts as his totem animal and usually a dog or wolf. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Raijin is one of the eldest gods among all Shinto gods. Fulgora is the Roman Goddess of Lightning, which is exactly what Her names means in Latin: Lightning, "Flashing," or "Brightness." There is not much in the source material on Her, and I could find no evidence of rites, worship, temples, or altars that were specific to Her. Animated versions of Raijin and Fjin are seen dancing in the music video for the song Ninjya Re Bang Bang by Japanese pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. He obeys no one but the bodhisattvas and is unpredictable. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Ukemochi (Ogetsu-no-hime) is a fertility and food goddess, who prepared a feast for Tsukiyomi by facing the ocean and spitting up a fish, facing the forest and vomiting up wild game, and facing a rice paddy and spitting up a bowl of rice. Those three deities could choose to join together or travel on their own as they pleased or as the Jade Emperor commanded. Tsukiyomi no Mikoto is the Shinto moon god and a brother of Amaterasu, born from the right eye of Izanagi. These god-like spirits inhabit everything in the natural world. SHINTO GODS List of the Japanese Shinto Gods. Based on an old belief that lightning fertilizes crops, this thunder god is also a god of agriculture to whom farmers pray. Raijin is one of the most important gods in Japanese mythology and one scary-looking guy. After passing through China and then Korea, Wardo arrived in Japan at the same time as Buddhism, around the sixth century. traditions that influenced Japanese folklore, Raiden-sama: Lord of Thunder and Lightning, Yakusa no ikazuchi no kami: God of Storms and Disaster. Because his name was so simply descriptive, many alternatives allowed for a similar meaning to be given. When drought came to Japan, it was said that Raijin was either slacking off or imprisoned, as depicted in onekabukiplay. Raiden, god of thunder in theMortal Kombatvideo game, has powers based on those of Raijin. The Japanese knew that the Mongols would return, however, and began strengthening their defenses. 32. Hoderi, the son of Ninigi (first ruler of the Japanese islands) and Ko-no-Hana (daughter of the mountain god Oho-Yama) and the brother of Hoori, was an enchanted fisherman, and the divine ancestor of the immigrants coming from the south over the sea to Japan. Raijin, also known as Kaminari-sama and Raiden-sama, is the Japanese god of thunder, light and storms. On the 13th they attacked Iki Island, once again quickly overwhelming the samurai who defended it. As with the latter, Raijin is usually depicted as an oni. Many of the Oni were distracted by the food, allowing him to reach the upper level of Yomi. Raijin () is a god of lightning, thunder and storms in the Shinto religion and in Japanese mythology. Despite their rivalry for control of the sky, Raijin and Fujin are often represented together in Japanese traditional arts. Each of them represents a cardinal point. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Raijins animal companion is usually docile but becomes agitated in storms. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. In the manga/anime Fairy Tail there is a tribe named 'Raijin Tribe' reflecting their leader's ability of a lightning dragon slayer. Allow Voting Cookie. Raijin was therefore tied to the Underworld. Lei Gongs poor aim and confusion over what acts should be punished was used to explain why thunderbolts did not only strike down the wicked. One day, she was doing this as Lei Gong, the god of thunder, passed overhead. Privacy Policy. It's said that she was birthed from the left eye of Izanagi when he washed the remnants of the underworld from his face after fleeing from his wife, Izanami. These storms, however, were also seen as a form of punishment. Thus, after making fire on the tip of his comb, he entered the palace. Geometric Shapes and Their Symbolic Meanings, Satanic Infernal Names of Biblical and Hebraic Origin, The Story of Pele, Hawaiian Volcano Goddess, Maman Brigitte, Loa of the Dead in Voodoo Religion, The Orishas: Orunla, Osain, Oshun, Oya, and Yemaya, The Orishas: Aganyu, Babalu-Aye, Chango, and Eleggua, A Look at Satan Through the Eyes of the Luciferians, Origin and Growth of the Worship of Amaterasu, M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota. View Raijin Chaotic but popular Japanese god of thunder, lightning, and storms. As a contrast, the main Shinto gods and goddesses from the Kojiki and Nihonshoki are shared by the entire nation, ideas which are written down and reinforce the national myths of the political state. His messenger is the fox and there are always stone or wooden foxes sitting front of Inari shrines. Raijin was one of the children of the creator deities Izanagi and Izanami. Raijin also fulfills a similar role and temperament to El (also called YHWH), a Semitic storm deity worshiped by the Hebrews. He is usually depicted alongside Fjin, the god of wind. When he found Izanagi inside her palace, he was horrified at what he saw. In local tr 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. His hair seems to defy gravity. In the movie Pom Poko, in operation spector he makes a cameo appearance with fujji. The name "Raijin" is derived from the Japanese words kaminari (, meaning "thunder"; on-reading rai) and kami (, meaning "god"; on-reading shin or jin). Like the Norse god Thor, hes armed with hammers with which he knocks on drums to create the sound of lightning. Raijin (Japanese mythology/Shinto), the Japanese God of Lightning. Their companions, the clouds, wind, and rain, did not always travel in a group, however. One of Leizis tasks in caring for her elderly mother was to dump out the rice husks that were too hard for the old woman to chew. His fight with the dragon Orochi led to the creation of the sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, one part of Japan's sacred regalia. Of course, he looks similar to his brother Fujin, but you can easily tell them apart, since Fujin always carries a bag of wind with him. The people of Japan are his fathers creations as well. The role of Leizi in Lei Gongs mythology provides a rationale for thunder and lightning that is based on observation. *In Western culture, Raijin is usually known as Raiden (rai (, thunder) + den (, lightning)), and depicted as a tall monk wearing a large straw hat (these hats are used widely throughout Asia to keep off rain), with the power to create storms, thunder, and lightning. In addition to rains, thunder has a reputation for helping fertilize rice in Japan. Kagutsuchi was the god of destructive fire, volcanoes, ceramic workers, and smiths. Lei Gong often failed to distinguish between truly evil deeds and more benign actions. His animal companion is a shapeshifting beast made of lighting called Raiju. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. When emissaries arrived the next year demanding a response, the shoguns sent their heads back to the Khan. The Japanese not only held off the Mongol invaders but were able to repel them. Japanese Mythology - Raijin and Fujin: The Gods of Lightning and Wind Japanese Mythology: The Essential - The Story of Amaterasu, Susanoo, Tsukuyomi, Izanagi and Izanami See U in History. Among the hundreds of Pokmon, there are two monsters that are inspired by Fujin and Raijin: Tornadus and Thundurus are flying and electric-types Pokmons. Thor Odinson (Marvel Comics) Raiden (Mortal Kombat), the Earthrealm God of Lightning The Thunderbird (Native American Mythology), the Native American God of Thunder. [3], 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). Susanoo-no-Mikoto is the Japanese god of the sea and storms. Raijinand Fujin appear as lackeys of the character Seifer in the video gameFinal Fantasy VIII. These names generally refer to Raijins power and propensity for destruction, but his imagery more often shows his protective aspect. Raijin would not look out of place on the cover of a heavy metal album, so its appropriate that we see often him represented holding hammers and surrounded by drums. He is brother to many gods, includingAmaterasu,Susanoo, andTsukuyomi. Read on to learn how she became linked to the thunder god and what her role was in his duty! These statues are considered some of the most beloved works in Japanese art. All Rights Reserved. The lacquered wooden statues of the thunder god and his brother Fujin, the god of wind, are the temples protectors and are listed among Japans greatest national treasures. Learn Religions, Dec. 6, 2021, learnreligions.com/japanese-gods-and-goddesses-117170. His mother, the female creator Izanami, was fatally burned giving birth to him; and his father, Izanagi, cut him into pieces, creating several new gods. Izanami became Queen of the Underworld. Rice that had been struck by lightning was thought to be more fertile and lead to a bountiful food supply. This story may stem from Raijins origins inYomi, where his birth was unnatural. A massive typhoon, called a kamikaze in Japanese, hit the coast and devastated the Mongol fleet. In the manga series Naruto, there is a technique that allows teleportation from one set place to another called Flying Raijin. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Kaminari-sama: kaminari (, kaminari, thunder) and -sama (, a Japanese honorific meaning "master"), Raiden-sama: rai (, thunder), den (, lightning), and -sama (, master), Narukami: naru (, thundering/rolling) and kami (, spirit or deity). The Imperial Court suggested a compromise with the Khan but had too little power to push their agenda. These sculptures are made of wood with lacquer, gold leaf and paint along with crystal, inlaid eyes. Parents: Izanami & Izanagi. 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. He is usually depicted holding hammers surrounded by drums. He may look menacing, but the thunder god Raijin was also one of Japans greatest benefactors. Sanjusangendo Temple is not the only place where Raijin is closely aligned with his brother. In response to his actions, Amaterasu retreated to a cave, effectively hiding the sun, a situation that was only ameliorated when the goddess Uzume danced. Perhaps this is how we come by the phrase 'struck by lightning' to describe a flash of creativity. Youll find terrifying statues of Raijin all over Japan and no matter where you go youll eventually have to walk under his intense gaze. They again advanced to Hakata Bay, but this time they were held off with new stone walls. Find more Japanese words at wordhippo.com! Along with his brother Fujin (the god of wind . During the hi-matsuri ("fire festivals") at . Tropical storms in 2010 and 2016, as well as a typhoon that struck Japan in 2004, were named in honor of the goddess of lightning. True power was held by the shogunate regents of the Hj clan, who were so powerful that they no longer bothered to consult the other shoguns when they made decisions. Gods & Goddess Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. In appearance, Raijin appears to be an Oni rather than a god. Tradition has it that storms, thunder, and lightning were often associated with the highest gods who could manipulate and control forces of nature. Raijin has innumerable brothers and sisters, as all the Kami in Japan descend one way or another from Izanami and Izanagi. Thunder is caused by lightning but the difference in speed makes it seem as though it comes later. Raijin () is the Japanese god of storms, a chaotic being born of death who brings the world vital rains as well as chaos and destruction. In some parts of Japan, he is known as Raiden and is shown simply as a robed man with a straw hat. Raijin and Fujin are always depicted together, thus making the two deities deeply connected. This heroic achievement would have been accomplished with the help of the deity Kannon. Whether as the menacing god who can send lightning strikes and floods or the protector of the nation, the people of Japan had good reason to venerate and respect the power of their thunder god. Raijin is a complicated figure in Japanese folklore, but there is no doubt that he is a powerful one. After she went to the underworld, her husband Izanagi went after her. Raijin. Mythopedia, 29 Nov. 2022. https://mythopedia.com/topics/raijin. The surviving Japanese defenders were pushed back to an ancient earth fort where they were prepared to make their last stand. His name is derived from the Japanese words rai (, "thunder") and "god" or "kami" ( shin). Raijin is potentially related toLeigong, a Chinese god of thunder, and his various forms; as well as to Parjanya, a Hindu god of rain, thunder, and lightning. In Japan, adults often tell children to cover their belly button when a storm approaches, because Raijin could eat it! When all five were in the same place, however, they could cause massive devastation. As protective gods, Raijin and Fujin often ride on clouds on either side of a doorway or shrine. This is one of the most feared deities of Japanese culture. The god of thunder is the brother of Fjin but also of the goddess Amaterasu or the famous Susanoo. Realizing that Izanami was about to leave Yomi forever, Izanagi herself began to pursue him. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. [4], 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. Often, his terrifying appearance includes a pig-like nose, horns, or pointed years. The Jade Emperor, however, realized that Leizi had been an innocent victim of the thunder gods poor judgment. Folding screen depicting Raijin (left) and Fjin (right), by Tawaraya Statsu. Two of the most notable sculptures of Raijin are located in the Sanjusangendo temple and the Taiyuin Rinnoji temple. In some images he peers over the side of the clouds as he beats with his hammers. Learn more about our mission. In Japanese religion, the world is full of kami. A popularkami(a type of god or spirit in the Shinto religion) despite his connection to death and destruction, Raijin is represented in Shinto and Buddhist imagery, as well as in folk belief and popular art. As much as his storms could threaten Japan, they also brought needed rain. The two gods were natural partners. thx, i would like to know how recent this information is, Dear sir, Why has ( sometimes ) Raijin a tobacco pouch on his back ? Their first child was Kagutsuchi (or Hinokagutsuchi), the Japanese god of fire, who burned his mother to death when she gave birth to him, a metamorphosis linked to the death of the old year and the birth of the new. He can also be a helpful god, however. Because he had killed her, he was responsible for her and would have to care for her as his wife. Because they are so closely linked, Raijin and Fujin often share their temples as well. Along with his brother Fujin (the god of wind) Raijin is pretty much responsible for all the bad weather that hits Japan and, as a series of islands, Japan gets a LOT of bad weather. Who Was the Jade Emperor in Chinese Folklore? "Thunder God"), also known as Kaminari-sama (), Raiden-sama (), Narukami () Raikou (), and Kamowakeikazuchi-no-kami is a god of lightning, thunder and storms in Japanese mythology and the Shinto religion. Raijin is both feared and admired by the Japanese. The small Japanese boats were no longer able to harass the larger ships and the invaders again advanced to the bay. Rutland: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1962. He is typically depicted as a demon-looking spirit beating drums to create thunder, usually with the symbol tomoe drawn on the drums. Other names are Kaminari-sama (, Lord Thunder), Raiden-sama (, Lord Thunder and Lightning), Narukami (, The Resounding God) and Yakusa no ikazuchi no kami (, God of Storms and Disaster). He is also known by the following names:*Yakusa no . THE JAPANESE GOD OF LIGHTNING: RAIJIN Among all the gods, Raijin is one of the oldest deities of Shintoism. Japan, meanwhile, had reason to believe that it had been saved by its gods. [1] In Chinese folklore, a number of deities were responsible for causing storms. The only mention of Fulgora by name that I could find in classical texts . Mothers warn their children to cover their belly buttons during storms or else Raijin may steal them away and eat their bellies. 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Drops of God is an unusual, stylish, hugely entertaining drama but . Susanoo (Japanese mythology/Shinto), the Japanese God of Storms. She went to her palace to negotiate with the kami of Yomi and try to win her freedom. Engraving of an Athenian statue of Boreas made in the eighteenth century by the James Stuart and Nicholas Revett. When the Emperor asked him to stop his destructive habits he simply laughed, obeying only when ordered by a Buddhist bodhisattva. He was the great-grandfather of the first emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu, and thus the progenitor of all the later emperors of Japan. In stories told even today, Raijin is said to kidnap and gobble up children who do not hide their belly buttons. The beast even attacks people. Best regards, Jan Foppe Hubee. "Japanese Gods and Goddesses." He is a direct descendant of Izanagi and Izanami, the creators of the Japanese islands. In some popular medieval stories about the failed Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281, Raijin and Fujin were responsible for the typhoons that sank the Mongol ships and prevented invasion. He followed her to Yomi no Kuni in an attempt to bring her back. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Raijin is a well-known deity and his fame has spawned characters in many forms of Japanese media. Believing that she was committing a sin by wasting food, Lei Gong struck her with a thunderbolt and killed her. The shoguns orders those who lived in Kyushu, the area closest to Korea and thus the most likely to be attacked, to prepare for war. He rains down death and destruction on the world below. But gods and goddesses of Japan have also been influenced to a degree by both Indian (Buddhism and Hindu) and Chinese (Buddhism and Confucianism) mythologies. He makes thunder by banging on his drums with hammers. In a way, it takes up again this myth of fraternal confrontation between the gods of wind and lightning. Its impossible to mention them all in this article. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Raijins mischievous nature can be attributed to the unpredictability of lightning and storms. He needed her help to fulfil his duty of punishing the wicked with thunderbolts but he had also been charged with her constant protection by the Jade Emperor. Raijin and Fujin are among the most feared and respected Japanese deities. After all, Japan was created by his mother and father, and the islands themselves are Kami and therefore his brothers and sisters. The Seven Lucky Gods reflect input from both Chinese and Indian religions. Kublai Khan sent a letter to these military rulers. [3] He is often seen fighting with Fujin, mending his drums, or causing mischief. The Oni were malevolent demons who were focused only on destruction and terror. Yu Zi, the Rain Master, dripped his sword into a pot of water to make drops fall to Earth. But, Fujin isnt only a threatening god, since hes also seen as a savior by the Japanese people. The existence of thunder gods in various belief systems is very common, especially among islander people, and youll find a long list of them across different cultures. In Japanese mythology, Raijin, the god of thunder, is unique in many ways. In Japanese folklore, the kami Izanagi helped to create both the land and the spirits who Amaterasu: The Sun Queen of Japanese Mythology, Inari Okami: The Japanese Spirit of Success. In the myth, Leizi uses light to guide Lei Gongs thunderbolts. Raijin also appears in the kabuki play Narukami, in which he is imprisoned under a pool of water, thus causing a drought.[6]. Raijin is one of the many gods born from these two deities after they created Japan. Japanese goddess of beauty and fertility, worshipped primarily by women. Naruto manga is another good example. Although they dont have a role as important as Amaterasu, goddess of the Sun in Shintoism, theyre respected figures to the point where they inspire many fictions. So you know where to go if you dont have the chance to visit Kyoto during your stay in Japan. Accessed on 28 Apr. These Western influences completely changed Buddhist art, to the point where many statues of the Buddha take on Apollos characteristics. He was banished from heaven after a power struggle with his sister turned uglySusanoh went on a rampage, destroying Amaterasu's rice fields and killing one of her attendants. Raijin was created by the divine pair Izanami and Izanagi after the creation of Japan. A manifestation of the Indian goddess Sarasvati, Benzaiten has adapted across landscapes, locations, and time periods, becoming a chief symbol of the way Japanese culture has combined elements from various religious traditions. She died from her burns and descended to Yomi no Kuni, the Underworld. Once there he picked peaches off a nearby tree to throw at the remaining Oni. Raijin was born of Izanamis rotting corpse after she descended toYomi, the Land of Darkness and Death. In fact, the Japanese believed that lightning could bring a more plentiful harvest. A copy made by Kosuke Ogata is on display at the Tokyo National Museum. Izanagi swore that she would kill a thousand people each day for his crime, but Izanami vowed to create a thousand plus five hundred to thwart her. The Shinto religion is strongly based on the idea that everything we see in nature has a spirit or kami. Sword pommel depicting Raijin. Raijin. Raijin () is a god of lightning, thunder and storms in the Shinto religion and in Japanese mythology.His name is derived from the Japanese words rai (, "thunder") and "god" or "kami" ( shin). Raijin and Fujin reside side by side in the Kaminarimon gate that guards the entrance to the Sanjusangendo temple. Raijin and Fujin are also protectors of temples and other holy places, which is why their statues often are placed at the gates to such buildings. When the Mongols under Kublai Khan tried to invade Japan in 1274 and 1281, they were blown back by typhoons both times. Leizis myth also explained the observable phenomenon of lighting shortly preceding the sound of thunder. This thunder god shares a history closely tied to that of his parents, Izanagi and Izanami. His bestial character is transcribed by his outfit, which is made of a leopard skin, and his ruffled look, caused by the gusts he lets out of his big pouch. This divine intervention is called Kamikaze, the divine wind, by the locals. However he is shown, there is no mistaking his demonic appearance. While there is much art featuring Raijin, his most famous depiction is at Sanjusangen-do, a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, where statues of Raijin and Fujin guard the entrance. Wright, G. (2022, November 29). This kind of syncretism is not unusual in Japan, even after the Buddha-kami separation order. The sound of this percussion makes the booming thunder that accompanies his bolts of lightning. Leizis full name in Chinese is Leigong zi qi, or Lei Gongs wife. Ryjin ( ) Some versions consider him and watatsumi as the same god, he is a dragon, as well as god of the sea. Japanese Thunder God. In folklore, storms arise when Raijin and Fujin dual for supremacy of the sky. Netsuke depicting Raijin, by Kaigyokusai Masatsugu (1813-1892). Sudden storms and strong typhoons have always posed risks to the island nations residents, particularly in the ancient past when storms, landslides, and floods were less predictable. THE GODS AND GODDESSES OF JAPAN Shinto (the Way of the Gods) was the original religion in Japan and had no written literature before the arrival of the Buddhists.
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