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On'yomi
ライ
RAI
Kun'yomi
かみなり・いかずち・いかづち
kaminari / ikazuchi / ikazuchi

thunder · lightning bolt

powerfulnature

Details

Strokes13
Frequency#1491
Radicalrain(8)

Description

Thunder/Lightning - raw power of nature, associated with storm gods.

Stroke Order

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Strokes13

Component Breakdown

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Rain + field

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of rain and field. Roaring sound under rain clouds.

Symbolism

Thunder, power, divine wrath. Represents natural force and awe.

Spiritual Meaning

Represents divine anger and power, revered in thunder god worship. Lightning strikes interpreted as expression of divine will.

Anime & Manga

鬼滅の刃

きめつのやいば

Demon Slayer(2019)

manga/anime

Zenitsu's 'Thunder Breathing' is popular

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NARUTO

なると

Naruto(2002)

manga/anime

Many characters use Lightning Release, like the Fourth Raikage

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ONE PIECE

わんぴーす

One Piece(1999)

manga/anime

Enel with Goro Goro no Mi has lightning powers

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Games

原神

Genshin Impact(2020)

PS/PC/iOS/Android

Features many Electro element characters

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ポケットモンスター

Pokemon(2022)

Nintendo Switch

Electric-type Pokemon like Pikachu are iconic

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Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

疾風迅雷

しっぷうじんらい

with lightning speed; with lightning speed

付和雷同

ふわらいどう

following blindly; following suit without reflection; following blindly

迅雷風烈

じんらいふうれつ

violent thunder and fierce wind; rapidly changing situation; swift action; violent thunder and fierce wind

Proverbs & Idioms

雷が鳴ると梅雨が明ける

かみなりがなるとつゆがあける

Thunder signals the end of rainy season

Thunder is a harbinger of the rainy season ending

Related Figures

菅原道真

(すがわらのみちざね)
Sugawara no Michizane845-903

Scholar deity feared as thunder god after death

Heian scholar and politician. Feared as vengeful spirit after exile to Dazaifu