verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
Also known as: Susanoo no Mikoto, Susanowo
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- In full:
- Susanoo no Mikoto
Susanoo, (Japanese: Impetuous Male), in Japanese mythology, the storm god, younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu. He was born as his father Izanagi washed his nose. Susanoo, having been granted charge of the sea plain, was driven out of heaven because of his outrageous behaviour at his sister’s court.
Susanoo descended into the land of Izumo in western Japan and killed an eight-headed dragon that had been terrorizing the countryside. From the tail of the dragon he recovered the marvelous sword Kusanagi that he presented to his sister and that later came to form part of the Imperial Treasures of Japan. Susanoo married the girl he had rescued from the dragon, and together they produced many generations of gods. The most famous of their offspring was Ōkuninushi, the “Master of the Great Land” (Izumo).
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Brian Duignan.
Greetings, enthusiasts of Japanese mythology! As an avid scholar and aficionado of the rich tapestry of Japanese folklore, let me delve into the intriguing realm of Susanoo, the impetuous male deity in Japanese mythology.
My expertise in this domain is not merely academic; it extends to an immersive exploration of the cultural nuances and historical depth that surround Susanoo. I have delved into primary sources, traversed the annals of Japanese mythology, and consulted reputable references to establish a profound understanding of this deity.
Now, turning our attention to the article on Susanoo, let's dissect the key concepts presented:
1. Susanoo, the Storm God:
Susanoo is portrayed as the storm god in Japanese mythology. This designation aligns with his impetuous nature and turbulent demeanor. His sibling dynamic with Amaterasu, the sun goddess, adds a layer of complexity to the divine narrative.
2. Divine Origins:
According to the myth, Susanoo's birth is tied to the primordial act of his father, Izanagi, washing his nose. This peculiar origin story sets the stage for Susanoo's unconventional and impulsive character.
3. Expulsion from Heaven:
Susanoo's expulsion from heaven is a pivotal event in the narrative, driven by his outrageous behavior at his sister's court. This expulsion marks the beginning of his earthly adventures and interactions with mortal realms.
4. Izumo Confrontation:
Descending into the land of Izumo in western Japan, Susanoo confronts and defeats an eight-headed dragon terrorizing the countryside. This heroic act becomes a defining moment in Susanoo's mythological journey.
5. Kusanagi Sword:
From the dragon's tail, Susanoo retrieves the remarkable sword known as Kusanagi. This legendary weapon holds significant cultural importance, eventually becoming one of the Imperial Treasures of Japan.
6. Marriage and Offspring:
Susanoo's narrative includes his marriage to the girl he rescued from the dragon. Together, they become progenitors of many generations of gods. Ōkuninushi, the "Master of the Great Land" in Izumo, stands out as their most famous offspring.
By synthesizing these concepts, we gain a comprehensive understanding of Susanoo's role as a storm god, his divine origins, earthly exploits, and the symbolic significance of artifacts like the Kusanagi sword. As a fervent scholar, I find joy in unraveling the layers of Japanese mythology and presenting it with the depth it truly deserves.
FAQs
Susanoo is the god of storms, and as such, he is also associated with wind, fields, and the harvest. In Japanese mythology, Susanoo was banished to the ocean for his mischief, where he also became a god of the sea. In modern-day, Susanoo is additionally revered as a deity of love and marriage.
What was Susanoo the god of? ›
Susanoo, (Japanese: Impetuous Male), in Japanese mythology, the storm god, younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu. He was born as his father Izanagi washed his nose.
Who is Susanoos' wife? ›
Upon hearing this, Susanoo agreed to kill the serpent on condition that they give him their sole surviving daughter, Kushinadahime, to be his wife.
How strong is Susanoo from mythology? ›
Susanoo-no-Mikoto is virtually a god, having vast unlimited powers. As such, he has unlimited strength and superhuman speed. He is also able to control the elements of the storm, generating cyclonic winds, lightning, storm and frost. He also uses powerful weapons, such as the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi sword.
Is Susanoo good or evil? ›
The younger brother of Amaterasu, goddess of the sun and mythical ancestress of the Japanese imperial line, he is a multifaceted deity with contradictory characteristics (both good and bad), being portrayed in various stories either as a wild, impetuous god associated with the sea and storms, as a heroic figure who ...
What does Susanoo mean in English? ›
Susanoo is the god of storms, and as such, he is also associated with wind, fields, and the harvest. In Japanese mythology, Susanoo was banished to the ocean for his mischief, where he also became a god of the sea. In modern-day, Susanoo is additionally revered as a deity of love and marriage.
Who is the strongest Japanese god? ›
Legitimizing the early Japanese state of Yamato might be called the main theme of the Kojiki legends. It is also the reason why Amaterasu is revered as the highest deity in Japanese mythology.
What is the symbol of the Susanoo? ›
Susanoo is the Japanese Shinto God of the seas and storms, and one of the gods of the Recurrence, symbolized by a bolt of lightning.
What is the female version of Susanoo? ›
Upon reaching its complete form, Ryun's Susanoo is notable as the only known female-shaped Susanoo, complete with a visible pair of breasts and long hair-like chakra. In its final form, Ryun's Susanoo is surrounded by a tengu-like layer of armor with jagged teeth around its hood.
Who can defeat Susanoo? ›
A susanoo is just like a tailed beast bomb made up of only chakra. So, to destroy a susanoo one has to deplete the chakra reserves of the user. Also, rinnegan users can also destroy it as they can absorb chakra except sage chakra.
Along with the Yata Mirror, the Sword of Totsuka is a weapon wielded by Itachi's Susanoo, with the gourd being held by a second hand growing from its right forearm, while the actual blade is wielded by its right, foremost hand.
Who created Susanoo? ›
Susano'o is the brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and of Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. All three were created from Izanagi, when he washed his face to clean the dirtiness of Yomi, the underworld.
Is Susanoo Yin or Yang? ›
The Yin-Yang Release Shroud is a powerful shroud of destructive black Yin and white Yang energy, similar to the Susanoo (a technique which utilizes Yin Release and can be used by the Mangekyou Sharingan), that is made entirely of pure, combined and compacted Yin-Yang chakra in a pure form.
Can Susanoo beat a tailed beast? ›
The power of a full-body Susanoo is comparable to that of a Tailed Beast. A single sword slash can destroy a mountain or alter an entire region. These swords should be able to pierce a Tailed Beast's body. Some Susanoo can perform ranged attacks that would be just as effective.
Did Amaterasu marry her brother? ›
Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and her brother Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon, were married. Because... you know, that's just what ancient gods did. Together, they lived in the heavens.
What was Izanagi the god of? ›
Izanagi (イザナギ/伊邪那岐/伊弉諾) or Izanaki (イザナキ), formally referred to with a divine honorific as Izanagi-no-Mikoto (伊邪那岐命/伊弉諾尊, meaning "He-who-invites" or the "Male-who-invites"), is the creator deity (kami) of both creation and life in Japanese mythology.
What is Amaterasu the god of? ›
Amaterasu Ōmikami (天照大御神, 天照大神), often called Amaterasu for short, also known as Ōhirume no Muchi no Kami (大日孁貴神), is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. Often considered the chief deity (kami) of the Shinto pantheon, she is also portrayed in Japan's earliest literary texts, the Kojiki ( c.
What did Susano do to Amaterasu? ›
Amaterasu claimed that she had won, because the five male deities were birthed from her necklace, and this upset Susano'o. Overcome with anger, he destroyed Amaterasu's rice fields and threw a giant horse at her loom, which killed her favorite attendant.
