Kushinadahime: The Rice Princess and the Eight-Headed Serpent
When travelers venture into the misty mountains of Shimane Prefecture, formerly known as Izumo Province, they step into the heartland of Japanese mythology. Among the myriad gods and goddesses of the Shinto pantheon, few stories are as dramatic or culturally significant as that of Kushinadahime (Princess Kushinada).
Often remembered as the damsel in distress saved by the storm god Susanoo, Kushinadahime represents much more than a passive figure in a hero’s tale. She is an embodiment of agricultural abundance, the ideal wife, and a central figure in one of Japan’s most famous legends. Join us as we explore her origins, the terrifying beast she escaped, and where you can find her spirit alive today.
Origins: The Spirit of the Rice Field
The name Kushinadahime creates a fascinating linguistic bridge between the divine and the earthly. In the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters), her name is written with characters that suggest “wondrous rice field princess.” This etymology links her directly to agriculture, specifically the cultivation of rice, which is the soul of Japanese sustenance.
However, there is a dual meaning. The word kushi can also mean “comb,” foreshadowing her physical transformation during her most famous myth. She is the daughter of Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, earthly deities who presided over the fertile lands of Izumo until tragedy struck their family year after year.
The Legend of Yamata-no-Orochi
The story of Kushinadahime is inextricably linked to the Yamata-no-Orochi, a terrifying eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent.
According to ancient texts, the storm god Susanoo-no-Mikoto, having been exiled from the heavens, descended to the Hi River in Izumo. There, he encountered an elderly couple weeping over their beautiful daughter, Kushinadahime. They explained that for the past seven years, the serpent Orochi had come to devour one of their daughters. Now, it was time for the eighth and final daughter to be sacrificed.
Moved by her plight—and struck by her beauty—Susanoo proposed a deal: he would slay the beast if he could take Kushinadahime as his wife. The parents agreed.
To protect her during the battle, Susanoo transformed Kushinadahime into a small, fine-toothed comb (kushi) and placed her securely in his hair topknot. He then instructed the couple to brew eight vats of strong sake and place them behind eight gates.
When the colossal serpent arrived, its eight heads drank greedily from the vats. As the beast fell into a drunken stupor, Susanoo drew his sword and sliced the monster to pieces, turning the Hi River red with blood. From the serpent’s tail, he discovered the legendary sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, which became one of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. Restored to her human form, Kushinadahime married her savior, and together they built a palace in Suga to start their new life.
Kushinadahime in Modern Culture
Today, Kushinadahime is revered as a symbol of rice cultivation, fertility, and marital harmony. The myth of the serpent slaying is a staple of Kagura (Shinto theatrical dance), performed regularly at shrines throughout the Chugoku region.
Pop culture enthusiasts might recognize echoes of her story in various media. The imagery of the “comb” and the eight-headed serpent appears frequently in anime and video games, such as Naruto (where the technique “Susanoo” wields a Totsuka blade) and the Okami video game series. She represents the archetype of purity and the civilizing power of agriculture triumphing over wild, chaotic nature.
Traveler’s Tips: Walking the Path of Myth
If you want to pay respects to this goddess or seek blessings for a relationship, Shimane Prefecture offers several profound spiritual sites:
1. Yaegaki Shrine (Matsue City)
This is perhaps the most famous shrine associated with the couple. It is said to be the place where Susanoo hid Kushinadahime in a fenced enclosure during the battle.
- Must-Do: Visit the Mirror Pond (Kagami-no-Ike). Visitors place a coin on a sheet of paper and float it on the water. Legend says the speed at which it sinks predicts how soon you will find love.
2. Suga Shrine (Unnan City)
Known as the location of the first palace built by Susanoo and Kushinadahime. It is also the birthplace of Japanese Waka poetry. Susanoo famously composed a poem here about the “eight-fold clouds” rising to protect his wife.
3. Yasaka Shrine (Kyoto)
While Izumo is her home, the famous Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto (home of the Gion Matsuri) enshrines Susanoo and Kushinadahime, making her accessible to those sticking to the “Golden Route” of travel.
Sources & Further Reading
To dive deeper into the original texts recounting these events, consider exploring the following historical classics:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest extant chronicle in Japan (712 AD), detailing the age of the gods.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, offering a slightly different variation of the serpent myth.
- Izumo no Kuni Fudoki: An ancient record specifically focused on the culture and geography of the Izumo province.