Key Points

- Collective name for the eight gods of thunder 

- Often personified by lightening when separate but a combined single deity in the upper worlds. 

- Released into this world when Izanami sent them after her husband for fleeing the underworld

Brief Bio 

In Japanese mythology, Yakusanoikazuchi (八雷), or simply Ikazuchi, refers to a group of eight thunder kami (gods or spirits). Each kami within this group represents a different aspect or type of storm. The term "Ikazuchi" itself translates to "thunder" in Japanese. These thunder deities are often associated with the more well-known Raijin, the thunder god, who is sometimes depicted as a member of this group. 

Notable Yakusanoikazuchi:

Ō-ikazuchi: (Great thunder)

Hono-ikazuchi: (Fire thunder)

Kuro-ikazuchi: (Black thunder)

Saku-ikazuchi: (Cleaving thunder)

Waka-ikazuchi: (Young thunder)

Tsuchi-ikazuchi: (Earth thunder)

Naru-ikazuchi: (Rumbling thunder)

Fusu-ikazuchi: (Couchant thunder)