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A Bronze/Copper Alloy Tray - Raijin the Thunder God browse these categories for related items... All Items: Antiques:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese:Metalwork: Pre 1920: item # 926532 Please refer to our stock # COLL 9061 when inquiring.
Ichiban Japanese & Oriental Antiques Post Office Box 395 Marion, CT 06444-0395 203.272.7392 Guest Book $595.00 |
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A striking cast metal tray made of an alloy of bronze and copper – because of the more than normal reddish cast to the piece, we think there had to have been a larger proportion of copper to the metal. The tray depicts Raijin the Thunder God in the clouds beating his drums with two headed drum sticks in each hand from his place high above the clouds. The swirling circle of clouds at lower left would almost suggest that Raijin is stirring up a hurricane with his loud drumming. The tray measures 8 ¾” long by 6 ¼” wide and is ½” deep. It is in excellent condition with nice patina and the beginnings of verdi gris in the crevices of the figure. We date the tray to the late Meiji period, circa 1890-1910. Raijin (雷神 raijin?) is a god of thunder and lightning in Japanese mythology. His name is derived from the Japanese words rai (雷, meaning thunder) and shin (神, god). He is typically depicted as a demon beating drums to create thunder. Raijin is sometimes credited with eating the bellybuttons or abdomen of children, and in the event of thunder, parents traditionally tell their children to hide their navels so that they are not taken away. Raijin's companion is the demon Raiju. Raijin is also known by the following names: Kaminari-sama: kaminari thunder) and -sama a Japanese honorific) Raiden-sama: rai , thunder), den , lightning), and –sama Narukami: naru ( thundering/rolling) and kami, god) |
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