In Japanese mythology, the raijū, meaning “thunder beast,” is a legendary creature and yōkai linked to lightning, thunder, and the Shinto god of lightning, Raijin. It is believed to appear during lightning strikes. Stories about the raijū are found throughout Japan, especially in eastern regions, and the creature is frequently mentioned in Edo-period writings and modern folklore. Some legends even suggest that the Nue, a monster defeated by Minamoto no Yorimasa in The Tale of the Heike, may have