• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of:
  • Family: Susano-o (father) Kushinadahime (mother) Konohanachiruhime (wife) Fuwanomojikunusunu (son)

Yashimajinumi

Yashimajinumi (八島士奴美神 – Mighty Master Ruling Eightfold Isles) is a Shinto kami mentioned in the Kojiki as the son of Susano-o and Kushinadahime. He married Konohanachiruhime and together they had the child Fuwanomojikunusunu. His name would suggest that he ruled over all of Japan.¹

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family: Susano-o (father) Kushinadahime (mother)

Suganoyuyamanushi Mitsunasarohikoyamaashino

Suganoyuyamanushi Mitsunasarohikoyamaashino is a Shinto kami found mentioned in an alternative version of the Nihongi. Here he is stated to be the son of Kushinadahime and Susano-o, the only other thing mentioned about him is that Ōkuninushi was his 5th generational descendant and that he can also be called Suga-no-kake-na-saka-karu-hiko-ya-shima-no-Mikoto.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: –
  • Family: Ashinadzuchi (father) Tenadzuchi (mother) Susano-o (husband) Ōkuninushi (son?) Yashimajinumi (son) Suga-no-yu-yama-nushi Mitsu-na-saro-hiko-yamaa-shino (son)

Kushinadahime

Kushinadahime (櫛名田比売 / 奇稲田姫 – Lady Wondrous Rice Paddies²) is a Shinto kami seen within the Kojiki and Nihongi narrative with connections to Susano-o and the Dragon Yamata no Orochi.¹²

She is stated to be the final child of Tenadzuchi and Ashinadzuchi. The Nihongi relates how Susano-o comes across her parents in mourning for their daughter. Every year the dragon Yamata no Orochi comes to eat one of their children and he will soon come for Kushinadahime. Susano-o agrees to kill the dragon if he can wed Kushinadahime and it is agree upon. He then turns her into a comb and places her in his hair until the dragon has been killed. The Kojiki agrees with this account, though adds some details.¹²

Additionally the Kojiki states she was the last of eight children to be taken by the dragon, and that once she married Susano-o they had a son by the name of Yashimajinumi.²

After the dragon is killed he takes her to Izumo Province, to a place called Suga where they then marry.¹² After this Susano-o then descends to Yomi but not before they have a child by the name of Ōkuninushi.¹

One version of the Nihongi states he also then composed a poem, this poem is also contained in the Kojiki.¹²

Another version of the Nihongi states that Inadahime (稲田姫) meets Susano-o on the River Hi and together they have a child known as Suga-no-yu-yama-nushi Mitsu-na-saro-hiko-yamaa-shino¹.

A further version states that Tenadzuchi’s child is not yet born, here given the name Inagami Furukushinadahime (真髪触奇稲田媛). When she is about to be born the Dragon would appear to eat her, however again Susano-o intercedes. After she is born she is raised in Izumo and when old enough marries Susano-o. Here it is stated their 6th generational descendant was Ōkuninushi.¹

A final version states that Susano-o wishes to wed Kushinadahime, and so her parents request that he kill the dragon so they will allow her to be wed.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• Affiliation: Shinto
• Kami of: Agricultural?
• Family: Ashinadzuchi (husband) Kushinadahime (daughter)

Tenadzuchi

Tenadzuchi ( 手名椎 / 手摩乳命) is a Shinto kami seen in the texts of the Kojiki and Nihongi in relation to their dealings with Yamata no Orochi. She is the wife of Ashinadzuchi and mother to Kushinadahime in both the Nihongi and Kojiki.¹²

The kami’s name can be rendered as Hand Stroking Elder, Fast Growing Rice Elder or Armless Elder. The image of legless could suggest a serpentine nature to her amd the Fast growing Rice is indicitive of an agricultural kami²

There are several versions for the same event within the Nihongi for this part of the Shinto narrative. The first states that Susano-o comes across the kami and her husband as they lament over their daughter who is soon to be eaten by the Dragon Yamata no Orochi. The dragon comes ever year to eat one of their children and Kushinadahime is to be the next victim. Susano-o states that he can help them if they allow him to wed their daughter and so they agree. Susano-o then asks Tendzuchi and her husband to brew up some sake ready for the Dragons arrival so it may become drunk and fall asleep.¹ This version of events is the same as the Kojiki, the only addition being that afterwards Susano-o states she is to be the head of his mighty hall giving her the title Master of the Halls of Inada and Master of Suga.²

After this ordeal Susano-o marries her daughter and they have a son together, he then makes Tenadzuchi and her husband Masters of his sons Palace, naming them Inada no Miyanushi (Palace/Shrine Masters).¹

The next version states then when Susano-o arrives he finds Tenadzuchi, here called Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi, and her husband lamenting. In this version, their daughter is not yet born, but as her birth is near Yamata no Orochi will soon arrive to take it to eat. After the dragon is killed, the child is born with the name Inagami Furukushinadahime, and taken to be raised in Izumo. When grown her and Susano-o marry.¹

The final version retold in the Nihongi states that Susano-o asks to marry Tenadzuchi’s daughter, and so is requested to kill the dragon.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• Affiliation: Shinto
• Kami of:
• Family: Tenadzuchi (wife) Kushinadahime (daughter) Ōyamatsumi (father)

Ashinadzuchi

Ashinadzuchi ( 足名椎 / 脚摩乳命) is a Shinto kami seen in the texts of the Kojiki and Nihongi in relation to their dealings with Yamata no Orochi. He is the husband of Tenadzuchi and father to Kushinadahime in both the Nihongi and Kojiki.¹² Additionally, the Kojiki lists his father as Ōyamatsumi.²

The kami’s name can be rendered as Foot Stroking Elder, Late Growing Rice Elder or Legless Elder. The image of legless could suggest a serpentine nature to him.²

There are several versions for the same event within the Nihongi for this part of the Shinto narrative. The first states that Susano-o comes across the kami and his wife as they lament over their daughter who is soon to be eaten by the Dragon Yamata no Orochi. The dragon comes ever year to eat one of their children and Kushinadahime is to be the next victim. Susano-o states that he can help them if they allow him to wed their daughter and so they agree. Susano-o then asks Ashinadzuchi and his wife to brew up some sake ready for the Dragons arrival so it may become drunk and fall asleep.¹ This version of events is the same as the Kojiki.²

After this ordeal Susano-o marries his daughter and they have a son together, he then makes Ashinadzuchi and his wife Masters of his sons Palace, naming them Inada no Miyanushi (Palace/Shrine Masters).¹

The second version names the father of Kushinadahime as Susa no yatsu mimi (presumably a title of sorts for Ashinadzuchi). He is also given the title Master of the Shrine of Inada in this version.¹

The next states then when Susano-o arrives he finds Ashinadzuchi and his wife, here called Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi. In this version, their daughter is not yet born, but as her birth is near Yamata no Orochi will soon arrive to take it to eat. After the dragon is killed, the child is born with the name Inagami Furukushinadahime, and taken to be raised in Izumo. When grown her and Susano-o marry.¹

The final version retold in the Nihongi states that Susano-o asks to marry Ashinazuchi’s daughter, and so is requested to kill the dragon.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: ?
  • Family: Susano-o (husband) Ōyamatsumi (father) Ashinadzuchi (brother?) Kushinadahime (niece?)

Kamu Ōichihime

Kamu Ōichihime (神大市比売 – Lady Sacred Great Market) is mentioned in the text of the Kojiki as the second wife of Susano-o. Potentially by tracing the family tree, she would be the aunt of Kushinadahime, who was the first wife of Susano-o; as her father was Ōyamatsumi, meaning her brother could have been Ashinadzuchi.

As the second wife of Susano-o she gave birth to the kami Ōtoshi and Ukanomitama.

The Engi Rites mention shrines to her in Ise, and she has ties to mountains, seas and field which suggest how markets can be useful to bring all these different areas together.¹

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Hear about Yamato no Orochi on Episode 44 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

Yamata no Orochi

Yamata no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ, also 八岐大蛇 , 八俣遠呂智 or 八俣遠呂知, 大蛇) was a giant serpentine Dragon mentioned in the Shinto Mythologies in association with Susano-o. The Dragon and Susano-o can be found in old texts such as the Kojiki and Nihongi.¹²

The appaearance of the Dragon in the Nihongi states that it had an eight forked head and tail, red eyes, and upon its back grew firs and cyprus trees. The body was so long it filled eight valleys and covered eight hills.¹ The Kojiki states the beast came from Koshi Province and had eyes like red cherries, eight heads and tails, with a body the length of eight hills and valleys; covered with cypress trees. Additionally it says that blood oozed out its stomach constantly.²

Susano-o after being banished from Heaven eventually finds his way to the grieving parents of Kushinadahime. They mourn as every year the Dragon Yamata no Orochi comes to take one of their children to eat them. Susano-o offers to help free them from this torment, by getting Kushinadahime’s parents (Tenadzuchi and Ashinadzuchi) to brew eight barrels of sake for the Dragon. After it arrives and drink the sake it falls asleep and Susano-o uses this opportunity to kill the Dragon. Upon cutting up the beast his sword becomes stuck in its tail, and so opening up the tail to see why this happened he comes across the sword Kusanagi. This sword eventually makes it way up to Heaven.¹² The Kojiki relates that as the beast is killed the River Hi (Idzumo Province) filled with blood.²

One alternative version of the Nihongi state Susano-o feeds the Dragon the sake himself as he calls the Dragon an awful kami and so must be served. Other versions give different names to the blade Susano-o used to fell the beast. These being Ama no Hayekiri, Orochi no Aramasa and Orochi no Karasabi.¹

This tale of felling the Dragon is later told to Amaterasu when Susano-o goes to Heaven to give her the sword Kusanagi. (This is in an alternative version of the Nihongi). And there is also a version where Susano-o instructs his decendant Amenonofuyukinu to take the sword up to Heaven in his stead.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Hear about the Sacred Regalia on Episode 49 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• See also: Divine Treasures

  

Sacred Regalia

The Sacred Regalia (三種の神器) are the three Sacred Items of the Imperial Throne, consisting of the Sword Kusanagi (草薙劍), the Jewel Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊勾玉) and the Mirror Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡).

The Sacred Regalia is known to have been given by Amaterasu to her grandson Ninigi upon his descent to Earth.¹

Yata no Kagami – Mirror

Creation

The mirror Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡) was initially made by the kami Ishikoridome as one of the items used to try and coax Amaterasu out of the Rock Cave when she fled into it, this is related in the kojiki and nihongi. There is one alternate writing of the nihongi where the kami Amenonukado instead created this mirror, and that it was then placed inside of the cave where it his the door gaining a flaw which remains to this day.²

Reign of Emperor Sujin

According to a tale from the Jinnō Shōtōki, in the 6th year of his reign he summoned the kami Ishikoridome to create a new Sacred Mirror. It was made in Uda, Yamato.

The replica is placed in his hall for divine protection. The original being entrusted to Toyosukiiribime who built a sacred enclosure in Kasanui in Yamato to worship them in.

Later Toyosukiiribime was instructed by Amaterasu to journey the provinces with the Sword and Mirror.³

Reign of Emperor Suinin

After a site is chosen for the Ise Grand Shrine it is said the Emperor placed the Sword into the Naiku Shrine with the Mirror.⁴ The Jinnō Shōtōki differs slightly saying it was Yamatohime who placed them inside the shrine.³

Kusanagi – Sword

Discovery

The sword Kusanagi (Grass Mower¹) (Nihongi, Mura-kumo ‘Assembled Clouds’¹) was discoverd by Susano-o inside the Dragon Yamata no Orochi.

Susano-o comes across the grieving parents of Kushinadahime as every year the Dragon Yamata no Orochi comes to take one of their children; Kushinadahime was to be the next. Susano-o says he will help them if they would give her to him in marriage and they agreed. (The story differs a little depending on the version of the Nihongi read). He instructs them to brew sake and when the Dragon appears it drinks the sake and falls down drunk. Susano-o then takes the opportunity to cut the dragon into pieces, killing it. When he is cutting up the tail, his blade became stuck and so opening up the tail to see why, he finds Kusanagi inside. The sword is then gifted up to Heaven by Susano-o (or by Ama no Fukine  in another version)²

Different versions of the tale, give different names to the sword Susano-o used to slay the Dragon, these being Ama no Hayekiri, Orochi no Karasabi and Orochi no Aramasa.²

Reign of Emperor Sujin

Like the tale above for the Mirror, according to a tale from the Jinnō Shōtōki, in the 6th year of his reign he summoned a desendant of Amenomahitotsu to make a new Sacred Sword. This was also made in Uda, Yamato.

The replica was placed in his hall for divine protection. The original being entrusted to Toyosukiiribime who built a sacred enclosure in Kasanui in Yamato to worship them in.

Later Toyosukiiribime was instructed by Amaterasu to journey the provinces with the Sword and Mirror.³

Reign of Emperor Suinin

As mentioned for the Sword above. After a site is chosen for the Ise Grand Shrine it is said the Emperor placed the Mirror into the Naiku Shrine with the Sword.⁴ The Jinnō Shōtōki differs slightly saying it was Yamatohime who placed them inside the shrine.³

Exploits of Yamato Takeru

Later, it was bestowed onto Yamato Takeru by his aunt Yamato Hime when he is sent to subjugate the Emishi. When he reaches Sagami Province he used the sword to escape a grass fire lit by a chieftain, using it to mow down the grass around him. He returns to his wife, leaving the sword behind when he goes to complete one more exploit.²

An alternative reading of the nihongi states the event with the grass fire is the reason why Murokumo was renamed to Kusanagi.²

Footnotes

1. Littleton. C.S. (1995) “Yamato-takeru: An Arthurian Hero in Japanese Tradition”. Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 54, No.2, pp.259-274.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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Hear about Susano-o on Episode 21 and 44 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Affiliation: Shinto
  • Kami of: Yomi
  • Family: Amaterasu (sister) Tsukiyomi (brother) Ōkuninushi (son) Takiribime (daughter) Ichikishimahime (daughter) Takitsuhime (daughter) Ōkuninushi (descendant) Numerous other decendants

Susano-o

Susano-o (須佐之男), also called Hayasusano-o², is known to be the father of Ōkuninushi and brother to the Sun Amaterasu and Moon Tsukiyomi. He rules over Yomi (the Underworld) and is said to be the kami of storms.¹²

Birth

According to the narrative of the Kojiki and Nihongi they state Susano-o was born from the nose of his father Izanagi after washing it in the Tachibana River. This is due to the fact Izanagi is trying to rid cleanse himself of the evils and filth from Yomi.¹²

However, alternate versions of the Nihongi give differing origins to this kami. In one version it states he is the third child born of both Izanagi and Izanami, with another stating he was born whilst Izanagi was holding two copper mirrors and happened to look ‘askance.’²

After his birth he is tasked to rule over the earth in the Nihongi², but the oceans in the Kojiki¹ and one alternative version of the Nihongi.²

Condemnation

Both the Kojiki and Nihongi agree that after his birth he was prone to burst of anger and rage, causing the world around him to wither and die and so he is eventually condemned to Yomi.¹²

It is interesting to note that in some versions of the Nihongi, where he is born solely from Izanagi and asked why he is so full of anger and rage; it is because he wishes to join his mother (Izanami) in Yomi. It is interesting due to the fact that, at least according to the text, he only has a father and no mother.²

Rock Cave and Exile

Before leaving for Yomi he wished to speak to his sister one last time and so ascends to Heaven. He says he comes with no ill intent and so Amaterasu asks for them to make a pledge together and create children.¹²

Amaterasu makes him hand over his ten span sword, cleaning it and chewing it in her mouth she spits forth three female kami, these daughters being called Takiribime, Ichikishimahime and Takitsuhime.¹² According to the Kojiki these daughters born from his sword show Susano-o had no ill intent and so in triumph he runs amok in Heaven destroying rice fields.¹ The main text of the Nihongi differs where it says should he have daughters then he has ill intent.²

Before running amok in Heaven he asks for the Jewels from Amaterasu’s hair, and chewing them he spits forth five children, these being Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi.¹²

There are several alternative versions of this particular event within the Nihongi. In one, Susano-o doesn’t chew the sword of her sister, but instead chews his own jewels creating the five sons. (Presumably then in this context, these females are daughters of Amaterasu, and the males are sons of Susano-o).

Another version says that before ascending to Heaven to see his sister Susano-o is visited by a kami known as Haakarutama who gives magatama beads which he then plans to gift to his sister. In this version Amaterasu says if he births daughter he is here with ill intent, and after swapping items Susano-o is shown to have three daughters.

A third and final version, says if he produces sons then he has no ill intent. In this version again, they use their own items. Amaterasu uses her sword and Susano-o his jewels. This version includes new sons and he does not chews and spit out the jewels. He places them on parts of his body. The left hand produces Amenooshihomimi, and right hand Amenohohi. His left forearm makes Amatsuhikone and his right Ikutsuhikone. From his right leg comes Kumanokusubi and from his left foot comes Hinohayahi.¹

His final act whilst running amok in Heaven (in the Kojiki) was to drop a pie-bald colt which had been skinned backwards from its tail into the sacred weaving hall where Amaterasu and Amenohatorime were. The colt causes Amenohatorime to be startled and so she accidently kills herself by slamming her weaving shuttle into her privates. Amaterasu frightened by all this flee into the Sacred Rock cave and so night falls eternally.¹ In the main text of the Nihongi, Amenohatorihime is not mentioned and Amaterasu injures herself in fear before fleeing to the rock cave.²

When he sister is finally coaxed out of the Sacred Rock cave a large fine of 1000 tables of food offerings is placed upon him and he is then exiled from Heaven.¹² In the Nihongi it states he also had his hair pulled out with an alternate version of the Nihongi adding that his toenails were pulled out.² With the Kokiji stating his beard, fingernails and toenails were cut off.¹

As he now need to give up offering of food, he beseeches Ōgetsuhime for her help. She does so by providing food from her various orifices, and Susano-o considering this food digusting and defiled kills Ogetsuhime before leaving Heaven.¹ This tale is told differently in the Nihongi and relates to the kami Tsukiyomi and Ukemochi.

There are further alternative versions of the tale in the Nihongi which go as follows. In one he startles Wakahirume with the colt causing her death, making Amaterasu flee into the Rock Cave. Another says he kept destroying his sisters field, but she continued to forgive him. Eventually he defecated under her chair causing her to be outraged and so she entered into the Rock Cave. After her return in this verison Susano-o is fined and gives soft white offerings from his spit, and soft blue offerings from his mucus.

A finaly version states he was jealous of his sisters fields as his were barren and so kept destroying them, at first she forgave him but eventually had had enough of this and entered the Rock Cave. After being coaxed out he was sent into exile causing much rain as he left. However, he wanted to see his sister one last time, and so returning to Heaven, his sister was warned of his arrival by Ameno Uzume and so the Sun kami dressed in warrior garb. It is here in the narrative that the kami Amenooshihomimi, Amenohohi, Amatsuhikone, Ikutsuhikone and Kumanokusubi are born from Susano-o instead of earlier in the main text of the narritive. After this he departs heaven.²

Yamata no Orochi

After his exile and departure he would eventually discover the sword Kusanagi inside the Dragon Yamata no Orochi.³

This part of his tale, varies wildly between the Kojiki and Nihongi, and inside of the Nihongi there are many alternative version for this part of his story.

One version of the Nihongi states he heads to the source of the River Hi in Idzumo Province, there he hears weeping and goes to find the source of it. Eventually he comes across Ashinadzuchi, Tenadzuchi and their daughter Kushinadahime. He discovers they cry as every year the dragon Yamato no Orochi comes to eat one of their children. Susano-o says he can save their daughter if they can be wed and so the father agrees. He turns Kushinadahime into a comb which he places in his hair before asking her parents to brew eight barrels of sake. When the eight-headed dragon appears it drinks up all the sake and falls asleep, Susano-o then using this opportunity to cut up the beast.

His sword gets stuck in its tail, and so opening it up he finds the sword Kusanagi inside. After deciding to give the sword to Heaven as a gift he goes with his wife to a place they name Suga, meaning refreshed as that was how they felt when they arrived. Here they marry and have a son called Ōkuninushi, and after wards he makes Ashinadzuchi and Tenadzuchi, Inada no Miyanushi (Shrine/Palace masters), before descending to Yomi.²

One alternative writing states he composed a poem here², this is also included in the Kojiki.¹

Another version omits all of the above, saying he went to the River Hi where he finds Inadahime, a daughter of Susa-no-yatsu-mimi (Title for Tenadzuchi?). Together they had a child by the name of Suga-no-yu-yama-nushi Mitsu-na-saro-hiko-yamaa-shino.²

The next version returns to Yamato no Orochi. Susano-o comes to the River Ye, in Aki Province. Here he meet Ashi-nadzu-te-nadzu and his wife Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi. They are both filled with sorrow as the kami is pregnant and soon Yamato no Orochi will come for it. Susano-o makes them brew sake, which again the dragon drinks and then falls asleep after Susano-o calls the dragon an awful kami and offers to serve him. When he cuts up the Dragon the sword in this version is given a name, Orochi no Aramasa. When he cuts the Dragons tail, he finds inside of it Kusanagi.²

Another version states he wanted to marry Kushinadahime, but could only do so if he slew the dragon. In this version, the sword he uses to kill Yamato no Orochi is called Orochi no Karasabi, and again he finds Kusanagi in the dragons tail. After this, it is said the sword Orochi no Karasabi is given into the care of the Kambe of Kibi Province.²

Moving to the next version, it says that after his exile he ventures to Silla with his son Isotakeru. Annd here they settle in Soshimori. Susano-o does not like it here and so fashions a boat of clay to sail eastwards to Mount Torikamu no Take, located upstream on the River Hi. He then learn of the Dragon and fells it with the sword known as Ama no Hayekiri. Again he finds the sword Kusanagi in the creatures tail and asks his 5th generational descendant Ama no Fukine to give this item to Heaven.²

The final version told in the Nihongi states that at this time Susano-o knew the land of Han to be full of riches, and wanting the same for Japan his plucked hairs from all over his body to turn them into a myraid of tree so the people may have wood. His three children, here called Isotakeru, Ōyatsuhime and Tsumatsuhime dispersed the seeds of the trees and then went to dwell in Kii. Susano-o then goes to dwell upon the summit of Mount Kumanari (likely Mount Kumano in Izumo), and eventually he went to dwell in the Nether World.²

Turning now to the story as it relates in the Kojiki, it says Susano-o went to Torikami, located in the upper sections of the River Hi. Here he sees a chopstick floating down river and so decides to investigate. He finds a weeping elderly couple with Kushinadahime between them. When asking why they cry, he is told how the dragon comes every year for one of their children, and this girl is the only one they have left. He asks that Kushinadahime be given over to him, and then asks the mother and father to brew sake.

He turns Kushinadahime in a comb which he places in his hair and once the dragon is drunk from the sake he cuts it up with the River Hi filling with blood. After finding the sword Kusanagi in the creatures tail, he takes it to his sister personally and tells he the story of the Dragon. After this Susano-o and Kushinadahime marry and the poem, mentioned above, is recited.

To finish it off, he makes Tenadzuchi the Head of his mighty halls, giving him the titles Master of the Halls of Inada, and Master of Suga. Together Susano-o and Kushinadahime then have the kami Yashimajinumi. Shortly after Susano-o then takes another wife known as Kamu Ōichihime and together then have the children Ōtoshi and Ukanomitama.¹

Yōkai connections

Susano-o is also cited as the father of the yōkai Amanozako, who he birthed from his chest after it filled with rage and he expelled it.⁴

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Littleton. C.S. (1995) “Yamato-takeru: An Arthurian Hero in Japanese Tradition”. Asian Folklore Studies, Vol. 54, No.2, pp.259-274.
4. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.

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Shinto

Shinto (神道) is one of the main relgions of Japan and is native to the country.

Founding Mythology

Founding Kami

See also: List of Shinto Kami.

The original three kami of Shinto which appeared when Heaven and Earth formed, as related in the Kojiki were known as follows:¹

• • Amenominakanushi – (天御中主, Master Mighty Center of Heaven). Ancestor of The Intercessors.
  • Kamimusuhi – (神産巣日神, Sacred Growth). She is stated as the kami of fertility, motherhood and healing, as well as being one of the eight tutelary kami of the Royal Clan.
  • Takamimusuhi – (高御産巣日神, Lofty Growth). The Engi Rites include him as one of the 8 tutelary kami of the Royal Clan, invoked at winter solstice rites and harvest festival.

After these kami came seven generations of kami that formed. These all in the table below. The Kojiki and Nihongi differ slightly in the order of kami that formed.

Creation of Japan

Izanami and Izanagi were brother and sister, but also husband and wife. Together the two of them set about creating the Great Eight Isles, thereby creating the country of Japan. The very first island was created by the Jewelled Spear of Heaven.¹²

The Sun, Moon and Storm Kami

After the death of Izanami, we see the birth of the three children known as Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi and Susano-o. Amaterasu was the kami of the sun, Tsukiyomi of the moon and Susano-o the storms.

Susano-o was an angry and raging kami and wishing to live with his departed mother Izanami he readies himself to descend to the realm of Yomi. Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi have a disagreement after another Shinto kami is killed (this being Ukemochi or Ōgetsuhime depending on the text read) and so Amaterasu sends him away causing day and night to become seperated.

Before Susano-o descends into Yomi he wishes to see his sister one last time and after a few exchanges, Susano injures his sister (or Amenohatorime or Wakahirume depending on the text) and this causes his sister to flee into Ama no Iwato plunging the world into darkness. Eventually she is coaxed out by many other Shinto kami.

Susano-o now leaves for Yomi and comes across a weeping couple who say their daughter is soon to be eaten by the dragon Yamata no Orochi. After felling the dragon and finding the Sacred Sword inside of it he marries the woman he saved (Kushinadahime) and together they have many descendants, one of them eventually giving birth to Ōkuninushi, a man who would rule over all of Japan for some time.

To Be Completed: Okuninushi.

Department of the Jingikan

The Jingikan (神祇官) was a department of Shinto Worship established in the 7th century under the rule of Emperor Kōtoku. It was governed over by the Imbe Clan, Urabe Clan and Nakatomi Clan.³

The first 10 books of the Engi Shiki cover the ceremonies and festivals of the Jingikan.⁴

 Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697″. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
4. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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