#JLMyōkaioftheday Raijū, the legendary creature who is the companion of Raijin, the Shinto god

 #JLMyōkaioftheday Raijū, the legendary creature who is the companion of Raijin, the Shinto god of lightning. ⚡️ 

It can sometimes take the form of a wolf, a cat, a fox, or a weasel. It can shoot and conduct electric bolts, and turn itself into a ball of lightning, but is generally harmless when tame. 

It is said that it loves to sleep atop s sleeping person’s belly, and when Raijin needs to wake it up, he shoots a lightning bolt to it, which of course harms the sleeping person too! That’s why in superstition, it is advised to sleep facing sideways or down, especially during thunderstorms. ⛈ Which pop culture character does the raijū remind you of? ☺️⚡️ #japanloverme Art by @littlemisspaintbrush