Raitaro "Thunder" Baby
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Time Period:
References in Literature: None
Sources: Pantheon, Giants, Monsters and Dragons, pg 306
Once a poor Japanese peasant, during a period of drought, prayed to the Buddha for rain. Suddenly, rain fell in sheets, accompanied by a loud peal of thunder. When the peasant, who was named Bimbo, went outside to look, he saw a handsome baby lying on the grass. Bimbo and his wife adopted the baby and called him Raitaro. Whenever there was little rain, Raitaro would simply call the clouds and order them to rain, making Bimbo a wealthy farmer. When he reached the ago of 18, Raitaro thanked his foster parents for their loving care, turned into a white dragon, and few away.