In the ancient age of the gods, before the boundaries between the heavens, the earth, and the underworld were firmly established, there lived a young deity named Onamuchi. Though possessing a gentle heart and a compassionate spirit, Onamuchi was constantly tormented by his eighty older brothers. Driven by jealousy over his virtues and his betrothal to Princess Yakami, these wicked brothers plotted against him, repeatedly attempting to end his life. They crushed him with a red-hot boulder disguised as a boar, and later squeezed him to death within the cleft of a massive tree trunk. Although resurrected each time through the intervention of his mother and heavenly kami, it became clear that Onamuchi could never find safety on the surface of the earth while his brothers remained. Seeking a refuge where he could grow strong enough to face his tormentors, his mother advised him to seek counsel from the mighty storm god, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, who resided in the dark, mysterious subterranean realm of Ne-no-Kuni, the land of roots.
Onamuchi traveled to the depths of the earth, crossing the boundary that separates the living world from the underworld. Upon arriving at the palace of the formidable storm god, he was met not by Susanoo, but by the god's beautiful daughter, Suserihime. As their eyes met, an immediate and profound bond was forged between them; it was love at first sight. Suserihime, enchanted by Onamuchi's gentle eyes and noble bearing, led him into the grand palace and went to inform her father. She declared to Susanoo that a remarkably handsome and worthy young deity had arrived from the surface world. Susanoo, however, was not easily impressed. Recognizing Onamuchi as a potential challenger to his authority and a suitor for his beloved daughter's hand, he decided to test the young god's endurance, wit, and strength through a series of perilous trials designed to destroy anyone of lesser resolve.
For the first trial, Susanoo ushered Onamuchi into a chamber filled entirely with venomous snakes, declaring that this would be his bedchamber for the night. As the door hissed shut behind him, Onamuchi feared his journey would end in agony. However, the clever Suserihime had secretly slipped him a magical scarf, instructing him to wave it three times whenever the serpents approached. As the snakes reared their heads to strike, Onamuchi waved the scarf. Miraculously, the reptiles were instantly subdued, curling up peacefully and allowing the young god to sleep undisturbed until morning. When Susanoo opened the door the next day, expecting to find a lifeless body, he was astonished to see Onamuchi alive, well, and resting calmly.
Furious but undeterred, Susanoo prepared a second trial. He led Onamuchi to another room, this one teeming with giant, stinging centipedes and venomous wasps. Once again, Suserihime came to her lover's rescue, providing him with another enchanted scarf specifically designed to ward off biting insects. When Onamuchi waved this second scarf, the centipedes and wasps retreated into the shadows, leaving him unharmed through the night. The following morning, Susanoo was once more thwarted, finding Onamuchi smiling and ready for whatever challenge lay ahead.
For the third and most dangerous test, Susanoo took Onamuchi out to a vast, dry moor. The storm god drew his bow and shot a sacred arrow deep into the middle of the golden grasslands, ordering Onamuchi to retrieve it. As soon as the young god ventured into the center of the field, Susanoo set fire to the tall grass from all sides. The flames rose rapidly, creating a roaring inferno that closed in on Onamuchi. With no path of escape and the smoke burning his lungs, he braced for a fiery end. Suddenly, a small field mouse scurried to his feet and squeaked, pointing to a hidden hole in the ground. The mouse cried out that the inside was hollow and safe, while the outside was narrow and dangerous. Understanding the message, Onamuchi stepped on the ground, which gave way to reveal a subterranean chamber. He hid in the hollow space while the fire swept over him, consuming the grass above. While inside, the helpful mouse even retrieved the lost arrow and brought it back to him. When the ashes cooled and Susanoo went out to search for the charred remains, Onamuchi emerged from the earth, entirely unharmed, and presented the sacred arrow to the stunned storm god.