Embedded Files
Name: Susanoo
Place/Book/Story of Origin: Kojiki (古事記, "Records of Ancient Matters" or "An Account of Ancient Matters")
Introduction
須佐之男, スサノオ, Susano-o, Susa-no-O, Susano'o, Takehaya Susanoo-no-Mikoto, or Susanowo all refer back to the Shinto god of the sea and storms. Depending on whether the text analyzed is the Kojiki, or the Nihon Shoki, Susanoo's story is altered slightly. Generally speaking, Susanoo is the younger brother of Amaterasu the goddess of the Sun, and Tsukuyomi, the god of the Moon. All three of these celestial siblings were born when Izanagi washed his eyes and nose in the river Woto, to cleanse himself of the impurities from Yomi, the land of the underworld, where his wife, Izanami remains. Susanoo is infamous in Japanese mythology for his rather impish and sly behavior.
Susanoo's Story Begins
Susanoo initially ruled the High Celestial Plain with Amaterasu, but due to his destructive tendencies (leveling forests & mountains, killing earthly inhabitants), he was banished from heaven. Before leaving, he exchanges goodbyes with his sister Amaterasu and the two trade prized possessions, from which the siblings create new deities, which become the ancestors of Japanese nobility. Afterward, Susanoo went on another rampage, this time flaying a horse and throwing it through the roof of Amaterasu's palace. This led to Amaterasu exiling herself in a cave, blocking out the sun. Susanoo's next actions depend on the version, in some he goes to Yomi with his mother Izanami; in others he travels to the sea. (Cartwright, 13)
Susanoo & the Kusanagi "Grass-Cutter" Sword
When Susanoo returned to the earthly realm, he was in the province of Izumo, and walking along the river Hi, he heard a chorus of tears. Susanoo realized that the old couple was crying because each year a gigantic eight-headed serpent (known as 八岐大蛇 (Yamato-no-Orochi - eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent) or the Koshi) would return to eat one of their daughters, and this year the snake would return to devour their final daughter. (Cartwright, 14)
Susanoo struck a bargain with the old couple, that if he was able to slay the beast he be allowed to wed their daughter. He instructed the parents to place eight cups of sake at each of the doorways to their home, and they did as they were asked. Like predicted, the Koshi came for his yearly daughter, but instead drank a cup of sake with each of its heads, and collapsed in a drunken stupor. Upon seeing his plan work, Susanoo lopped off each of the serpents heads and sliced into its tail to find the Kusanagi "grass-cutter" sword, which he rightfully gave to his sister, Amaterasu, as a means of apology. As the legend goes, this sword was given to Ninigi, the first grandson of Amaterasu, along with the Yata no Kagami (mirror) and Yasakani no Magatama (jewel), becoming the Japanese imperial regalia. (britannica.com)
Susano'o slaying the Yamata no Orochi, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (embedded citation)
Enshrinement
Susanoo who is honorifically referred to as Kaburogi-kumano-no-okami-kushimikenu-no-mikoto, is currently enshrined at Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) located in Shimane (formerly the Izumo region). He is worshipped and respected as a God that connects happiness and prosperity to living beings. He overcomes hardship and struggles to answer the prayers of people and is the God of creative and harmonizing powers that assure prosperity and happiness. He is also known as the God of resurrection. (kumanotaisha.or.jp)
The shrine has offerings such as tamagushi branches and lucky charms which hold the spirit of the God of Kumano Taisha Shrine.
There are also other lucky items such as an en-musubi comb and en-musubi comb mobile phone strap which symbolize the comb that Susano-o-no-mikoto gave to Kushinada-hime (Princess Inada-hime) as an engagement gift. (tb-kumano.jp)
(En, written 縁, is a mysterious fate-binding power, or spiritual link between people and other people, or even with nature. “Musubi” (結び) is based on the verb “musubu” (結ぶ, “to bind”), so En-musubi (縁結び) is the act of linking fates, binding ties, or in the case of romantic relationships, matchmaking. )
Contemporary Manifestations
In the Naruto universe, Susanoo is the name of an ability members of a specific clan can train to activate. This is a clear homage to Japanese mythology. Even his sword appears in the show, with Naruto's main rivals, Sasuke & Orochimaru, wielding the Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Grass-Cutter Sword) at various points.
Susanoo's designs in the show are based off of the Tengu, a type of Japanese yokai. In Japanese mythology, it is said that Susanoo created the progenitor of the Tengu, Amanozako (天狗神) when he let his spirit build up inside of him, and vomited her up. (Yokai.com/amanozako)
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