God of Thunder 1909 - 1910

Kamisaka Sekka created this image of the God of Thunder during a period of immense social and artistic change in Japan, as the country navigated modernization and engagement with the West, while still honoring its artistic traditions. Here, we see a vibrant, green-skinned deity, complete with wild hair and fierce expression, holding drumsticks, surrounded by the drums he beats to create thunder. Sekka’s portrayal of this Shinto-Buddhist figure offers an interesting perspective into cultural identity during the Meiji and Taisho periods. In a time of rapid westernization, artists like Sekka sought to preserve and reimagine traditional Japanese art forms. What does it mean to hold onto cultural roots while also engaging with global modernity? In this light, Sekka’s God of Thunder is more than a mythological figure; he embodies a dialogue between heritage and progress.