Story Summary
Relive the legend of Susanoo and the Eight-Headed Serpent, where the Shinto storm god uses cunning and courage to defeat Yamata no Orochi in ancient Izumo.
Cast out from the heavens for his mischievous ways, Susanoo, the Shinto storm god, descended to the land of Izumo. There, he encountered an elderly couple weeping beside their beautiful daughter, Kushinada-hime. They explained that the Yamata no Orochi—a terrifying serpent with eight heads and eight tails—had devoured seven of their daughters and was coming for the last. Susanoo promised to slay the beast if he could marry the girl. He instructed the family to brew refined sake and place it in eight vats behind a fence with eight gates. When the serpent arrived, each head drank greedily from a vat until the beast fell into a drunken stupor. Susanoo then emerged, drawing his sword to hack the monster to pieces. Inside the serpent’s tail, he discovered a magnificent blade, the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, which he later presented to his sister, Amaterasu, as a peace offering.
The Moral
Wit and strategic preparation are as vital as physical strength when facing overwhelming odds.
“By the strength of his spirit and the sweetness of the sake, the monster was felled.”
Fun Fact
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword discovered by Susanoo is considered one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, representing the virtue of valor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Susanoo and the Eight-Headed Serpent?
The story teaches that intelligence and careful planning can overcome brute force. Susanoo did not win through strength alone, but by exploiting the serpent's weakness with a clever trap.
What is the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi?
The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi is the legendary Japanese sword Susanoo found inside the tail of the serpent. It eventually became one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, symbolizing the imperial family's divine right to rule.
Why did Susanoo have to defeat the serpent?
Susanoo defeated the serpent to save Kushinada-hime, the last daughter of a pair of earthly deities. In doing so, he redeemed his character after being exiled from heaven for his disruptive behavior.
What does the name Yamata no Orochi mean?
The name roughly translates to 'Eight-Forked Great Serpent.' The beast is described as being so large that its body could cover eight valleys and eight hills.
How did Susanoo trick the Yamata no Orochi?
He instructed the parents to brew highly refined sake and place it in eight separate vats. The serpent's eight heads each drank from a vat, becoming so intoxicated that they fell asleep, allowing Susanoo to attack.
Who is Susanoo's famous sister in Shinto mythology?
Susanoo's sister is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess and the most important deity in Shinto. Their complex relationship and his eventual gift of the Kusanagi sword to her are central themes in Japanese myth.
