Fujin and Raijin, Shinto Wind God and Thunder Gods

[Tonkotsu]

Here is a Japanese Tobacco Pouch made of Kinkararawa leather with the mixed metal kanemono of Fujin and Raijin (Wind God and Thunder God, respectively) who are one of the oldest pairs of Shinto religion gods. Fujin is said to have been present at the creation of the world. When he first let the winds out of his sack, it cleared the morning mists which filled the Gate between heaven and earth so the sun shone. RAIJIN, on the other hand, is believed to control thunder. He creates thunder by beating on small drums attached in a large ring. The metalwork on this pouch was made in Tenpo 13, or 1842, by Masachika of the Yanagawa school.

[Fuuten]

Just wow, very nice fittings and netsuke too.