raijin

Raijin (雷神) is the Japanese god of thunder and lightning in Shinto and traditional Japanese religious practice. As a kami, he governs storms and is involved in rituals and beliefs surrounding weather, harvests, and protection from natural calamities. His name literally means “thunder god,” and he is commonly depicted as a powerful, sometimes fearsome figure associated with storms and thunderbolts.

In traditional iconography, Raijin is often shown as a muscular, demon-like being with a wild appearance, sometimes red or dark-skinned, with horns and furious expression. He is frequently depicted beating drums or surrounded by drums, whose sounds are said to produce thunder. Raijin is commonly paired with Fujin, the wind god, and the two are presented as a force that controls weather in temple art and folklore.

Raijin appears across Shinto and Buddhist contexts, especially in temples, gates, screens, and carvings where he serves as a protective or purifying figure against storms. His presence reflects the syncretic nature of Japanese religion, where Shinto kami and Buddhist protective deities intermingle in cultural and artistic representations. People historically offered prayers and performed rituals to appease or invoke his power, seeking safe weather for crops and communities.

In modern culture, Raijin remains a prominent symbol in Japanese art, literature, and media. He is referenced in anime, manga, and video games as a representation of thunderous power and natural force, while continuing to function as a cultural reminder of weather’s influence on daily life. See also Fujin; Japanese mythology; Shinto.