Fine Art

Wind God and Thunder God — History & Facts

Wind God and Thunder God by Tawaraya Sōtatsu is a pair of two-panel folding screens created in the early Edo period (1603–1868). The work is executed in color on gold-leafed paper, a hallmark of the Rinpa school style with which Sōtatsu is closely associated. This screen pair is among the most celebrated examples of Sōtatsu's mature period and represents a pivotal achievement in Japanese decorative painting. The screens depict the deities Fūjin (Wind God) and Raijin (Thunder God), each occupying one screen.

On the right, Fūjin, with a green body and wild hair, holds his wind bag aloft, while on the left, Raijin, with a white body and a fierce expression, beats the ring of drums encircling him. Both figures are set against a luminous gold background, with swirling clouds rendered in soft washes and bold outlines, emphasizing their supernatural presence. The composition is dynamic, with the deities suspended in midair, their forms accentuated by rhythmic curves and vibrant color contrasts. The screens belong to Kennin-ji, a Zen temple in Kyoto, and are kept at the Kyoto National Museum.

The pair is a National Treasure of Japan. Wind God and Thunder God has inspired numerous later artists, including Ogata Kōrin, who produced a famous replica, and it continues to be exhibited as a masterpiece of early Edo painting.

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