What raimon means
Raimon is a geometric pattern of square spirals, formed by lines turned inward at right angles, repeated in a continuous band. The name, thunder pattern, is said to depict lightning or thunderclouds. It is traced to ancient Chinese bronzes and has been used in ceramics, textiles, metalwork, lacquer and architectural ornament.
It often borders the rim of a vessel or a band of decoration, and an unbroken chain of the motif is called raimon-tsunagi. In the names of textiles it is sometimes read kaminari-mon. Western classical architecture has the similar meander or Greek key, and in modern Western-style buildings in Japan the two may be conflated.
Reading the records and the object
Records name the part carrying the pattern or include it in a work's title. The granite gateposts of the former Hirata family house in Yokkaichi, Mie, each composed of base, shaft and capital, have raimon carved beneath the cornice of the capitals, forming an imposing front for an old family house. Among craft objects, the Kyushu National Museum holds a celadon bowl with raimon from the Longquan kilns of the Ming dynasty, the Kyoto National Museum a brocade with clouds and raimon, and the National Theatre an ivory hair ornament dyed with a chain of raimon.
On site or in a museum, check whether the lines turn at right angles to form square spirals. Curving spirals are scrolls or whorls, and chains of diagonal lines are a different geometric pattern.
References
- 旧平田家住宅門柱｜国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00010824
- 青磁雷文碗｜文化遺産オンライン
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/515807
- 雲に雷文文様繻珍｜文化遺産オンライン
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/513077
- 染象牙櫛・雷文染象牙笄｜文化遺産オンライン
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/530867
Last verified: 2026.09.27