Thunder God (Raijin)
Unknown Artist
1300s
Medium
wood with traces of gesso and red and black pigment
Dimensions
h. 66.7 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
Accession Number
1972.64
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The Thunder (Raijin) and Wind (Fujin) gods first appeared in early Buddhist art in China and Japan and were based on the popular imagery in India that was derived from the life of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni. They were shown among a group of demon-monsters flying through the sky above the meditating Shakyamuni in an attempt to frighten away his concentration. Raijin is surrounded by a ring of small drums struck by a stick held in his hand so that he is always accompanied by a thunderous no...