Architectural carving of the Thunder God (Raijin)

The Thunder God (above right) and the Wind God (above left) are both portrayed as muscular demons striding in the air on ornamental clouds. With drumsticks in both hands, the Thunder God is poised to beat the ring of drums that encircles him overhead. The Wind God carries a sack of air over his shoulder and is ready to release it to create a strong wind. These bearded, pot-bellied figures, often depicted as ferocious yet comical demons, are guardians against natural calamities.

The thunder and wind gods are two of the twenty-eight followers of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Kannon) in his thousand-armed form. This pair decorate architectural elements, called “frog-leg” struts (kaerumata), that were placed between parallel beams spanning the spaces between columns.