Topic Archive

Myths about Izumo

Explore myths connected by the recurring theme of Izumo across cultures, characters, and sacred places.

16 myths currently featured for Izumo.

Susanoo Composing the World's First Waka Poem About the Thick Clouds of Izumo

⛩️ Japanese MythologySuga Shrine, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Kushinadahime • Ashinazuchi

After defeating the monstrous eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi and saving the maiden Kushinadahime, the storm god Susanoo searched for a place to build their new home. Upon arriving in a serene valley in Izumo, his heart felt deeply refreshed, and he named the location Suga. As he constructed his bridal palace, magnificent layered clouds arose from the earth to wrap the estate in a...

Susanoo Building an Eightfold Palace for His New Bride Kushinadahime in Izumo

⛩️ Japanese MythologySuga Shrine, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Kushinadahime • Yamata no Orochi

After defeating the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi, the storm god Susanoo-no-Mikoto sought a place to settle down with his new bride, Kushinadahime. Upon reaching the lands of Izumo, he saw beautiful, rising clouds and felt a profound sense of peace, prompting him to build a magnificent eightfold palace. This sacred construction marked the birth of Shinto shrine architecture and the...

Susanoo Slicing Yamata no Orochi to Pieces and Finding the Kusanagi Sword in Its Tail

⛩️ Japanese MythologyMount Sentsu, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Yamata no Orochi • Kushinadahime

Exiled from heaven, the storm god Susanoo descends to Earth and encounters a grieving elderly couple whose daughters have been devoured by the monstrous Yamata no Orochi, an eight-headed serpent. Susanoo devises a clever plan to intoxicate the beast with eight vats of strong sake before slicing it to pieces. Deep within the serpent's tail, his sword strikes a hard object, revealing the...

Yamata no Orochi Drinking the Sake and Falling into a Deep Stupor

⛩️ Japanese MythologyHii River, Izumo, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Yamata no Orochi • Kushinadahime

Banished from the heavenly realms, the storm god Susanoo descends to the Hii River in Izumo, where he encounters an elderly couple weeping over the impending sacrifice of their eighth daughter, Kushinadahime, to the monstrous eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. Susanoo devises an ingenious trap, requesting the brewing of highly refined eightfold sake to lure the beast into a drunken...

Susanoo Preparing Eight Vats of Strong Sake to Intoxicate Yamata no Orochi

⛩️ Japanese MythologyHii River, Izumo, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Kushinadahime • Ashinazuchi

Exiled from the High Heavenly Plains, the storm god Susanoo descends to the Hii River in Izumo, where he discovers an elderly couple and their daughter weeping over a terrifying threat. The monstrous, eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi is coming to devour their final daughter, Kushinadahime. Susanoo devises a clever strategy to defeat the beast by instructing the couple to build eight...

Susanoo Banished from Heaven, Descending to the Earthly Land of Izumo

⛩️ Japanese MythologyMount Sentsu, Shimane, JapanSusanoo-no-Mikoto • Amaterasu-Omikami • Kushinadahime

Following his violent outbursts and banishment from the High Celestial Plain, the tempestuous storm god Susanoo descends to Earth at Mount Sentsu in the historical province of Izumo. There, he encounters an elderly couple and their daughter, Kushinadahime, who is about to be sacrificed to the monstrous eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. Through cleverness and divine prowess, Susanoo slays...