According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), this is a sport of the streaked H. 'Sea Lightning' and is almost indistinguishable from it. Technically, H. 'Sea Thunder' is more stable with a wider white medial variegation pattern. Part of the "Sea Series" of hostas, this plant was developed by Mildred Seaver of Massachusetts and registered on her behalf by Kevin Walek (Hosta Registrar) in 2009.

This cultivar is of large size (20 inches high by 48 inches wide) and has elliptic to ovate shaped leaves that are slightly wavy, slightly rippled and moderately corrugated with average substance. The leaves are dark green with a creamy yellow to white medial (center) variegation. Pale purple flowers are borne on 3 foot  high scapes from late July into mid-August.

Mark Zilis (2009), says "It makes a superb mound of variegated foliage topped by relatively tall scapes of pale purple flowers."

An article by Akira Horinaka in The Hosta Journal (2006 Vol. 37 No. 1) says,  "Other white-centered hostas with bold green borders are 'Banana Boat', 'Warwick Delight', 'Pandora's Box', 'Sea Thunder' and 'Fire and Ice'. Those with a narrow green border include 'Morinji Nishiki', 'Otome-no-mai', 'Hakuba' and 'White Christmas'."

Mikiko Lockwood in an article on The Hosta Library titled, A Little About Japanese Hosta Terms defines the term otome as maiden, 'Otome Gibōshi' or H. venusta and the term nishiki as brocade (rich-colored woven fabric) i.e. something colorful and beautiful.