The Tests of Okuninushi: A Journey into Japanese Mythology
Japan is a country where the veil between the modern world and the ancient spirit realm is remarkably thin. Walk through the vermilion torii gates of a shrine, and you step into stories that have shaped the nation for millennia. Among these, the saga of Okuninushi no Mikoto stands out as a hero’s journey that rivals the Greek epics. While many know him as the benevolent deity of happiness and marriage, his path to divinity was paved with harrowing challenges known as the “Tests of Okuninushi.”
For cultural travelers and mythology enthusiasts, understanding these trials offers a profound layer of context when visiting the spiritual heartlands of Japan, particularly the San’in region.
Origins of the Great Land Master
Okuninushi (whose name translates to “Master of the Great Land”) is a central figure in the Izumo cycle of Japanese mythology. He is a descendant of Susanoo, the tempestuous storm god. Before he became a ruler, however, Okuninushi was a kind-hearted but often bullied young deity.
He first appears in the famous tale of the “White Hare of Inaba,” where his compassion for a wounded rabbit sets him apart from his cruel eighty brothers. However, his rise to power required more than just kindness; it required resilience. To escape the jealousy of his brothers, he sought refuge and guidance in Ne-no-Kuni, the Land of Roots (the Underworld), where his ancestor Susanoo resided. It was here that his true initiation began.
The Legend: Surviving the Trials of Susanoo
Upon arriving in the Underworld, Okuninushi fell in love with Susanoo’s daughter, Suseri-hime. Susanoo, protective and fierce, was not impressed by the young suitor and decided to subject him to a series of lethal trials to test his worthiness.
The Room of Snakes
For the first trial, Susanoo commanded Okuninushi to sleep in a chamber filled with venomous snakes. Sensing her lover’s peril, Suseri-hime gave him a magical scarf. She instructed him to wave it three times if the serpents approached. He did so, and the snakes were pacified, allowing him to sleep soundly.
The Room of Centipedes and Wasps
The following night, Susanoo escalated the danger, placing Okuninushi in a room swarming with stinging centipedes and wasps. Again, Suseri-hime provided a different magical scarf, and again, Okuninushi survived unscathed.
The Whistling Arrow
For the final and most physical test, Susanoo fired a whistling arrow into a vast, grassy plain and ordered Okuninushi to retrieve it. Once the young god entered the tall grass, Susanoo set the field on fire, trapping him in a ring of flames. As panic set in, a field mouse appeared and whispered a riddle to Okuninushi: “The inside is hollow, the outside is narrow.”
Understanding the hint, Okuninushi stomped on the ground, falling into a hollow pit just as the fire raged over him. The mouse then retrieved the arrow for him. Impressed by his survival—and perhaps his luck—Susanoo eventually granted him the title of ruler of the land, entrusting him to build the nation of Japan.
Modern Culture: The God of En-Musubi
Today, the terrifying nature of these trials has softened into a narrative of perseverance and destiny. Okuninushi is enshrined at the Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine), one of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan.
He is revered primarily as the god of En-musubi, which translates to “tying the knot.” While this often refers to marriage and romantic relationships, the concept is broader, encompassing the connections between people, business partners, and general good fortune. The logic is that just as Okuninushi navigated difficult trials to unite with Suseri-hime and the land, he can help navigate the complex webs of human connection.
Traveler’s Tips: Visiting the Land of Myths
To walk in the footsteps of this legend, a trip to Shimane Prefecture is essential.
- Visit Izumo Taisha: Marvel at the massive shimenawa (sacred straw rope) hanging from the Kaguraden hall. Unlike other shrines where you clap twice, here it is customary to clap four times—twice for yourself and twice for your partner (current or future).
- The Month of the Gods: If you visit in the 10th month of the lunar calendar (usually November), it is known as Kamiarizuki in Izumo. It is believed that all eight million gods of Japan gather here to hold meetings about the fate of humanity for the coming year.
- Statue Spotting: Look for the statues on the shrine grounds depicting Okuninushi with the White Hare, as well as monuments dedicated to his trials.
- Local Flavors: Don’t leave without trying Izumo Soba, a dark, flavorful buckwheat noodle dish often served in three stacked lacquerware bowls.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to delve deeper into the textual history of these myths, the primary sources are Japan’s oldest historical records:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Compiled in 712 AD, this text contains the most detailed account of Okuninushi’s trials in the Underworld.
- The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan): Compiled in 720 AD, offering slightly different variations of the creation myths.
- Izumo no Kuni Fudoki: An ancient record specifically focused on the culture and geography of the Izumo province.