Raijin the Thunder god

A Meiji period Shakudo brooch, circa 1876, depicting the Japanese Thunder god. Raijin, the god of thunder and lightning, was one of the most powerful Shinto deities. Often depicted with a large Taiko drum and mallet, he summoned thunder and lightning with his strikes, controlling storms, wind, and rain. His role as a force of nature evoked both fear and reverence across Japan, symbolising the untamed aspects of the world. His power endures as this god has been adapted into modern pop culture as a prototype for characters in anime and manga.

Shakudo was a Japanese technique which inlaid gold, silver and copper into a darkened copper base. Initially it was used to decorate the hilts of samurai swords and when swords were banned in 1876, Shakudo artists turned to making items of jewellery for the Western market.

This Shakudo brooch is one of the most three dimensional in appearance I have seen. It depicts the Thunder god banging his drum, a tokkuri of sake at his side to give him sustenance. The brooch measures 1 and 3/4 inches by 1 and 1/8 inches and is finely executed and immaculate.

£900
Item ref : GS5