Mars
Air
![The Japanese Mythology Bible: [3 IN 1]](https://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0C2S9T9PV.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg "Books from the Japanese gods The Japanese Mythology Bible: [3 IN 1]")
Divine Power
Brings storms and trials that forge strength and renewal.
Sacred Items
Description & Mythology
Origins and Birth
In the primordial epoch when the cosmic forces first stirred within the void and the divine parents sought to bring order to the chaotic waters that covered the nascent world, there emerged from the sacred ablutions of Izanagi-no-Mikoto a deity whose tempestuous nature would embody both the creative and destructive aspects of natural power—Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the Impetuous Male, born not through conventional union but through the purifying rituals that followed his father's return from the polluted realm of Yomi, his emergence marking the moment when raw elemental force achieved divine consciousness.
The most sacred chronicles preserved in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki tell us that Susanoo was born from the washing of Izanagi's nose during the misogi purification that followed his traumatic escape from the underworld after witnessing his wife Izanami's corruption by death and decay. This unusual birth from purification water established Susanoo's fundamental nature as a deity of cleansing storms, of the violent processes that clear away corruption and stagnation, and of the turbulent emotions that arise when divine consciousness encounters the reality of impermanence and loss.
From the moment of his birth, Susanoo displayed the passionate intensity that would characterize his entire existence—weeping so violently that his tears created storms and floods, raging with such force that mountains trembled and the very fabric of reality seemed to strain under the pressure of his uncontrolled emotions. His early tantrums dried up rivers, withered crops, and created such chaos that his father Izanagi, recognizing the dangerous power contained within this divine child, sought to channel his energy toward appropriate purposes.
The cosmic assignment of domains to the three noble children born from Izanagi's purification revealed Susanoo's destined role in the divine order: while Amaterasu received dominion over the heavenly realms and Tsukuyomi governed the night, Susanoo was granted authority over the sea and storms—the vast oceanic forces that could both nourish and destroy, the atmospheric phenomena that brought life-giving rain and devastating typhoons, the liminal realm between heaven and earth where transformation occurred through violent yet necessary change.
Yet Susanoo's reaction to this cosmic appointment revealed the complexity of his nature: instead of accepting his oceanic domain with gratitude, he wept and raged, declaring his desire to visit his mother Izanami in the underworld rather than assume responsibility for governing earthly waters. This rejection of assigned duty reflected not mere rebelliousness but the deeper psychological reality of a consciousness that felt torn between loyalty to family bonds and acceptance of cosmic responsibility, between emotional authenticity and social obligation.
His persistent demands to see his deceased mother, despite the cosmic disruption his grief was causing, led to his temporary banishment from the heavenly realms—a exile that would prove crucial to his eventual development from impetuous youth to mature deity capable of both terrible destruction and genuine heroism. This early period of wandering and conflict established the pattern that would characterize his mythological career: periods of destructive chaos alternating with moments of genuine achievement and redemption.
The deeper mystery traditions understood Susanoo's birth as representing the cosmic principle that authentic spiritual development requires the integration of shadow aspects—the violent, chaotic, emotionally intense forces that conventional society often seeks to suppress but which contain essential energy for transformation and renewal. His emergence from purification water demonstrated that even the most disruptive forces could serve sacred purposes when properly understood and channeled.
Family
Divine Father: Izanagi-no-Mikoto, the creator deity who gave birth to the Japanese islands and kami through purification rituals
Divine Mother: Izanami-no-Mikoto (deceased), the creator goddess whose death and corruption motivated Susanoo's desire to visit the underworld
Siblings: Amaterasu-Omikami (sun goddess and ruler of heaven), Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (moon god and ruler of night)
Wife: Kushinada-hime, the rice field princess whom he rescued from the eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon Yamata-no-Orochi
Children: Numerous kami including Isotakeru, Oyamatsumi (mountain god), and various deities of natural phenomena
Divine Descendants: The Susa clan and various noble lineages that trace their ancestry to his divine blood
Spiritual Offspring: All storm kami, sea deities, and the protective spirits that guard against evil influences
Enemies-Turned-Allies: Various demons and chaotic forces that he either defeated or transformed through his adventures
Sacred Companions: The various heroic spirits and local kami who joined his quests and battles
Cultural Legacy: The warrior traditions, purification practices, and heroic ideals that emerged from his mythological example
Marriage
Susanoo's marriage to Kushinada-hime represents the transformation of chaotic masculine energy through protective love and the assumption of genuine responsibility for another's welfare. Their relationship began when Susanoo, wandering in exile from the heavenly realms, encountered the weeping family of Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, who were mourning the impending sacrifice of their last remaining daughter to the terrible dragon Yamata-no-Orochi that had already devoured her seven sisters.
This encounter marked a crucial turning point in Susanoo's development from destructive force to protective hero. Rather than simply passing by this human tragedy or responding with the self-centered emotionality that had characterized his earlier behavior, he was moved by genuine compassion to offer his assistance in exchange for Kushinada-hime's hand in marriage—a proposal that demonstrated his readiness to accept responsibility and commitment rather than continuing his aimless wandering.
The elaborate strategy he devised to defeat Yamata-no-Orochi revealed new aspects of his character: the ability to plan carefully rather than simply reacting with violence, the wisdom to use the enemy's weaknesses against itself, and the courage to face genuinely dangerous opposition in service of protecting innocence. His temporary transformation of Kushinada-hime into a comb that he could wear in his hair symbolized both his desire to keep her close during the dangerous confrontation and his growing understanding that love requires both protection and trust.
Their wedding celebration, held after the successful defeat of the dragon, marked Susanoo's first experience of harmony and domestic happiness. The famous poem he composed for their marriage—considered the first waka poetry in Japanese literature—demonstrated that his passionate nature could create beauty as well as destruction when channeled through love and artistic expression: "Many clouds rise, eight-fold clouds rise, to make an eight-fold fence, an eight-fold fence to hold my wife, oh that eight-fold fence!"
Their married life in Izumo established Susanoo as a local protector deity rather than merely a cosmic force of nature. Through his relationship with Kushinada-hime, he learned to apply his tremendous power in service of community welfare, agricultural prosperity, and the defense of order against chaotic forces that threatened human civilization.
The cultural significance of their marriage extended far beyond personal happiness to represent the archetypal transformation of the wild masculine principle through authentic love and responsibility. Their relationship became the model for marriages that channel passionate energy into constructive purposes, partnerships that balance individual strength with mutual care, and unions that serve larger purposes while maintaining genuine intimacy and personal fulfillment.
Personality and Contradictions
Authority: Susanoo wielded dominion over storms, seas, and the liminal forces that exist between order and chaos, commanding both the destructive power that could devastate coastlines and the cleansing energy that purified corruption and renewed natural systems. His authority was both feared and necessary—feared because his emotional volatility could trigger catastrophic natural disasters, necessary because stagnant systems required his disruptive energy to prevent decay and enable transformation. Every typhoon acknowledged his power, every purifying storm demonstrated his cleansing function, and every act of heroic intervention reflected his protective authority.
Wisdom: The Impetuous Male possessed the intuitive intelligence that emerges from direct experience with both destruction and creation, both failure and achievement, both exile and redemption. His wisdom was hard-won rather than inherited, earned through mistakes and suffering rather than bestowed through cosmic appointment. He understood that authentic strength requires the integration of shadow aspects, that genuine heroism emerges from overcoming personal flaws rather than mere external enemies, and that sustainable power must be balanced with emotional maturity and genuine care for others.
Desire: Susanoo's deepest longing was for authentic connection and acceptance—the recognition that his intense, passionate nature could serve constructive purposes rather than merely causing disruption and chaos. He yearned to transform his tremendous energy from a source of cosmic problems into a force for protection, purification, and heroic achievement. His desire extended beyond personal validation to encompass a vision of world where emotional authenticity would be honored rather than suppressed, where passionate intensity would be channeled into noble purposes rather than destructive outlets.
Wrath: When Susanoo's anger was aroused—typically by injustice, threats to those under his protection, or his own sense of rejection and misunderstanding—his fury could manifest as devastating storms, earthquakes, or the kind of berserker rage that made him nearly unstoppable in combat. His wrath was both terrifying and purifying, capable of destroying enemies completely while sometimes causing collateral damage that he would later regret. Yet his anger, like natural storms, was ultimately cleansing rather than merely destructive.
Emotionality: Perhaps Susanoo's most distinctive characteristic was his intense emotional nature—the capacity for feelings so powerful they could reshape the physical environment, create natural disasters, or inspire heroic deeds that saved entire communities. His emotions were both his greatest weakness and his greatest strength, causing tremendous problems when uncontrolled yet enabling authentic compassion and heroic commitment when properly channeled.
Heroism: Above all, Susanoo represented the archetypal hero who achieves greatness not through perfection but through the courage to face his own flaws, learn from his mistakes, and gradually transform destructive impulses into protective power. His heroism was deeply human despite his divine nature, marked by struggle, growth, and the eventual integration of opposing aspects of his personality into mature, effective leadership.
Transformation: Susanoo embodied the principle that authentic spiritual development requires the willingness to change, to learn from failure, and to gradually evolve from reactive emotionality to conscious, compassionate action that serves purposes greater than immediate personal satisfaction or comfort.
Affairs and Offspring
Susanoo's relationships throughout the divine and mortal realms reflected his gradual evolution from chaotic force to protective deity, each liaison contributing to his growing understanding of responsibility, commitment, and the proper use of power in service of others' welfare. His fertility was both literal and symbolic, generating not only divine children but also the cultural innovations, heroic traditions, and spiritual practices that would influence Japanese civilization for millennia.
His marriage to Kushinada-hime produced numerous children who embodied different aspects of his transformed nature: Isotakeru, who inherited his father's courage and protective instincts while avoiding his destructive tendencies; various kami who governed specific natural phenomena like mountains, rivers, and agricultural processes; and spiritual beings who served as guardians against evil influences and chaotic forces that threatened community welfare.
His relationships with various local goddesses and spirit beings throughout his wanderings resulted in the establishment of protective deities who watched over particular regions, communities, and natural features. These regional kami inherited specific aspects of his comprehensive power—some specialized in storm protection, others in agricultural fertility, and still others in the warrior traditions that would become central to Japanese culture.
His influence on mortal heroes and warrior lineages created a vast network of human champions who claimed spiritual descent from his divine authority. The Susa clan and other noble families traced their courage, martial prowess, and commitment to justice to their connection with his heroic example, making every act of genuine bravery a continuation of his transformative legacy.
His relationship with the sacred arts produced cultural offspring in the form of purification rituals, storm ceremonies, and the poetic traditions that began with his wedding song to Kushinada-hime. These artistic innovations demonstrated that his passionate nature could create beauty as well as destruction when channeled through appropriate spiritual and aesthetic practices.
The cultural impact of Susanoo's fertility extended throughout Japanese religion and culture, establishing fundamental patterns for understanding the relationship between emotional intensity and spiritual development, between individual transformation and social responsibility, and between chaotic natural forces and the human communities that must learn to live in harmony with rather than opposition to such elemental power.
His continuing influence on contemporary Japanese culture demonstrates that his mythological significance transcends historical periods, that his example of transformation through struggle remains relevant to current challenges, and that his integration of passionate intensity with mature responsibility continues to inspire those who seek to channel strong emotions into constructive rather than destructive outlets.
Key Myths
The Conflict with Amaterasu and the Cave: The most psychologically complex myth describes how Susanoo's emotional volatility and lack of self-control led to a catastrophic conflict with his sister Amaterasu that nearly destroyed the cosmic order. When he visited the heavenly realms, his boisterous behavior and disrespectful actions—including destroying rice fields, polluting sacred spaces, and frightening the celestial weavers—culminated in his throwing a flayed horse into Amaterasu's weaving hall, causing such shock that the sun goddess retreated into a cave and plunged the world into darkness. This myth explores themes of sibling rivalry, the consequences of uncontrolled emotional expression, and the cosmic implications of family dysfunction. The eventual coaxing of Amaterasu from her cave through the combined efforts of all the kami demonstrates that healing cosmic wounds requires community cooperation and that even the most destructive conflicts can be resolved through patience, creativity, and genuine commitment to restoration.
The Slaying of Yamata-no-Orochi: Susanoo's greatest heroic achievement occurred during his exile when he encountered the eight-headed, eight-tailed dragon that terrorized the Izumo region and demanded human sacrifice. Rather than confronting the monster through brute force alone, he devised an elaborate strategy involving eight vats of sake that would intoxicate the dragon and make it vulnerable to attack. His successful defeat of Yamata-no-Orochi not only saved Kushinada-hime and her family but also yielded the sacred sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, which became one of the three imperial regalia of Japan. This myth establishes Susanoo as the archetypal hero who overcomes evil through a combination of courage, intelligence, and divine power, demonstrating that authentic heroism requires both strength and wisdom, both individual achievement and service to others.
The Redemption and Return: After his period of exile and heroic adventures, Susanoo's gradual transformation from chaotic force to protective deity culminated in his eventual reconciliation with the heavenly realms and his establishment as a major protective kami. His founding of shrines throughout Japan, his teaching of agricultural and metallurgical techniques, and his role as ancestor of important clans demonstrated that even the most disruptive divine forces could evolve into sources of blessing and cultural innovation. This final transformation represents the completion of his heroic journey from unconscious destructiveness to conscious service, from emotional reactivity to mature leadership, and from cosmic problem to divine solution.
Worship and Cults
Susanoo's primary shrine at Izumo Taisha in Shimane Prefecture ranks among the most ancient and important religious centers in Japan, where his worship as Okuninushi (Great Land Master) emphasizes his role as protector of the land and patron of agriculture, relationships, and good fortune. The massive shrine complex, with its distinctive architectural style and sacred rope (shimenawa) that marks divine presence, serves as the spiritual center for traditions that honor his transformation from storm god to benevolent protector.
His priesthood includes both Shinto clergy who maintain traditional rituals and specialized practitioners who focus on particular aspects of his comprehensive authority: storm ceremonies for weather protection, purification rituals that invoke his cleansing power, agricultural blessings that honor his connection to earth's fertility, and marriage ceremonies that celebrate his successful union with Kushinada-hime as a model for human relationships.
Sacred rituals include elaborate festivals during storm season where communities seek his protection from typhoons and flooding, harvest celebrations that acknowledge his role in agricultural prosperity, and purification ceremonies that invoke his power to cleanse spiritual pollution and negative influences. The most important annual event, the Kamiarizuki (Month When Gods Are Present) at Izumo, brings together kami from throughout Japan for cosmic meetings that coordinate divine activities for the coming year.
His sacred symbols reflect different aspects of his nature and mythological achievements: the sword represents his heroic victory over Yamata-no-Orochi and his role as protector against evil forces, storm clouds symbolize his elemental power and emotional intensity, and rice stalks honor his agricultural blessings and connection to community prosperity. Sacred colors include deep blue (representing stormy seas), white (symbolizing purification), and gold (marking his divine status and heroic achievements).
His cult spread throughout Japan through networks of local shrines that adapted his worship to regional needs while maintaining essential elements of storm protection, agricultural blessing, and heroic inspiration. Many communities developed specific traditions connecting him to local landmarks, historical events, or cultural innovations, creating a comprehensive network of sacred sites that made his protection accessible to people throughout the archipelago.
Traditional practices include weather-watching ceremonies where communities monitor atmospheric conditions while seeking his intervention for favorable weather, purification rituals performed at rivers and waterfalls that invoke his cleansing power, and storytelling traditions that preserve his mythological adventures while teaching moral lessons about emotional maturity, heroic responsibility, and the transformation of destructive impulses into protective service.
Contemporary Shinto practice continues many of these traditions while adapting ancient rituals to modern circumstances, emphasizing his relevance to current issues of environmental protection, emotional healing, and the integration of traditional wisdom with contemporary challenges. His worship remains particularly popular among those seeking help with relationships, career challenges, and the development of emotional resilience and authentic leadership abilities.
Philosophical Legacy
Susanoo's influence on Japanese philosophical thought about emotional authenticity, heroic development, and the transformation of destructive impulses into constructive power was profound and enduring, establishing crucial principles about personal growth and spiritual development that guided Japanese approaches to psychology, ethics, and social responsibility. He embodied the revolutionary concept that authentic strength emerges not from the suppression of difficult emotions but from their gradual integration and transformation through conscious effort and genuine commitment to serving others.
His mythological journey from chaotic youth to mature protector provided the archetypal framework for understanding personal development as a process that requires both individual effort and community support, both the courage to face one's shadow aspects and the wisdom to channel destructive impulses toward constructive purposes. His example demonstrated that authentic heroism is not bestowed but earned, not achieved through perfection but through the willingness to learn from mistakes and gradually develop greater emotional maturity and social responsibility.
The principle that emerged from his worship—that emotional intensity can be either destructive or creative depending on how it is channeled—influenced Japanese concepts of artistic expression, martial arts training, and spiritual practice that sought to harness passionate energy for noble purposes rather than simply suppressing or indulging it. His example taught that authentic power requires both strength and restraint, both passionate commitment and thoughtful planning, both individual excellence and service to community welfare.
His role as both storm deity and agricultural protector established crucial concepts about the relationship between natural forces and human civilization that influenced Japanese environmental philosophy, farming practices, and approaches to disaster preparedness. His influence taught that humans must learn to work with rather than against natural processes, that apparent destruction often serves renewal, and that sustainable communities require both respect for elemental forces and practical preparation for their inevitable manifestations.
His synthesis of divine power with genuine character development influenced Japanese concepts of leadership, warrior ethics, and the proper relationship between authority and responsibility. His example demonstrated that legitimate power must be earned rather than merely inherited, that authentic leadership serves others rather than exploiting them, and that sustainable authority requires both competence and moral development.
His emphasis on purification and renewal influenced philosophical thinking about spiritual practice, moral development, and the possibility of transformation that continues throughout life rather than being limited to particular periods or circumstances. His legacy encouraged recognition that authentic spiritual growth requires both the courage to acknowledge personal flaws and the persistence to work toward gradual improvement rather than expecting immediate perfection.
In contemporary Japanese thought and international discussions of emotional intelligence and personal development, Susanoo's legacy continues to provide resources for understanding the integration of shadow aspects, the transformation of destructive patterns, and the development of authentic strength that serves rather than dominates others. His example offers philosophical foundation for approaches to mental health, conflict resolution, and leadership development that honor both individual authenticity and social responsibility.
Artistic Depictions
In classical Japanese art, Susanoo appears as the embodiment of elemental power and heroic transformation, typically portrayed as a vigorous, dynamic figure whose iconography emphasizes both his storm-god nature and his evolution from chaotic force to protective deity. His artistic representations consistently show him with symbols of natural power, heroic achievement, and emotional intensity: flowing robes that suggest wind and water movement, the sacred sword Kusanagi that represents his greatest victory, and facial expressions that capture both his passionate nature and his growing wisdom.
Woodblock prints and scroll paintings frequently depict him in dramatic action scenes: battling the eight-headed dragon Yamata-no-Orochi, protecting Kushinada-hime from supernatural threats, or standing amid storms and tempests that respond to his emotional states. These dynamic representations emphasize his active, heroic nature and his role as the divine champion who confronts evil forces that threaten human communities and natural order.
Noh and Kabuki theatrical traditions developed elaborate dramatic presentations that explored the psychological complexity of his character development, often portraying his emotional struggles, his conflicts with other kami, and his gradual transformation from destructive force to protective deity. These artistic interpretations emphasized the human aspects of his divine nature while teaching moral lessons about emotional maturity and heroic responsibility.
Sculptural representations at Shinto shrines often show him in poses that suggest both power and restraint, both readiness for action and peaceful protection. These sacred images capture his role as guardian deity while emphasizing his accessibility to human supplicants who seek his assistance with personal challenges, relationship difficulties, or community protection needs.
Contemporary Japanese artists continue to find inspiration in Susanoo's synthesis of natural power with personal growth, often portraying him in works that explore themes of emotional authenticity, environmental protection, and the integration of traditional wisdom with modern challenges. Modern interpretations frequently emphasize his relevance to current issues of climate change, psychological healing, and the development of sustainable relationships between human communities and natural systems.
Anime, manga, and popular culture representations have adapted his mythological significance for contemporary audiences, often emphasizing his character development arc and his example of transformation through struggle. These modern adaptations demonstrate the continuing relevance of his archetypal journey while making traditional wisdom accessible to new generations who may be unfamiliar with classical Shinto traditions.
International artistic movements interested in mythology and archetypal psychology have adopted Susanoo as a symbol of the integration of shadow aspects, the transformation of destructive impulses, and the development of authentic masculine strength that protects rather than dominates. Contemporary artistic interpretations often emphasize his universal significance while respecting the particular cultural context of his Japanese origins.
Digital and multimedia art forms have found new ways to represent his storm powers, emotional intensity, and heroic achievements through interactive installations, virtual reality experiences, and other technologies that can create immersive environments conducive to understanding traditional mythology while engaging contemporary sensibilities and concerns.
⚡ Invocation
"Susanoo-no-Mikoto! Takehaya! Yamata-no-Orochi wo Taoshishi!"
("Susanoo-no-Mikoto! Swift and Strong! Slayer of the Eight-Headed Dragon!")
"When storm winds gather and emotional tempests threaten to overwhelm, when heroic courage must face impossible challenges, mighty Susanoo rises with the sacred sword of victory and the transformed power of authentic strength!"
🙏 Prayer
"Susanoo-no-Mikoto, arashi no kami,
Takehaya Susanoo, mamori no kami,
Megumi wo tamae, chikara wo atae!"
("Susanoo-no-Mikoto, god of storms,
Swift and Strong Susanoo, god of protection,
Grant blessings, give strength!")
"O Susanoo, Impetuous Male and Heroic Protector,
You who transformed chaos into order through courage and love,
You who defeated the great dragon to save the innocent,
Grant us wisdom to channel our passionate nature constructively,
Courage to face the dragons that threaten our communities,
Strength to protect those who cannot protect themselves,
And patience to grow through struggle rather than avoiding challenge.
May your storm winds cleanse away what no longer serves,
Your heroic example inspire us to authentic achievement,
Your protective power shield those we love from harm,
And your transformation remind us that even the most difficult
Emotions and impulses can become sources of blessing
When guided by genuine love and commitment to service.
Susanoo-no-Mikoto, help us become heroes in our own lives,
Transforming personal struggles into gifts for the world."
Share this Deity
No equivalents found yet for this god.
Saved successfully!
