Slaying Yamata no Orochi: Japan’s Greatest Dragon Myth
Japan is a country deeply rooted in folklore, where spirits, gods, and monsters coexist in the collective consciousness of its people. Among the myriad of legends, few are as visceral, heroic, or culturally significant as the slaying of Yamata no Orochi. This tale of a storm god battling an eight-headed dragon is not merely a fairy tale; it is a foundational myth that explains the origins of the Japanese Imperial Regalia and the geography of the ancient Izumo region.
For cultural travelers and mythology enthusiasts, understanding this legend is key to unlocking the spiritual history of Western Japan, specifically Shimane Prefecture.
The Origins of the Myth
The story of Yamata no Orochi is recorded in Japan’s oldest historical chronicles: the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 AD) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720 AD). These texts served to legitimize the imperial lineage and catalog the Shinto pantheon.
Historians and folklorists often interpret the myth through a metaphorical lens. The “dragon” is widely believed to represent the Hiikawa River, which flows through Shimane. This river was prone to devastating annual floods that “devoured” the land and people, much like the beast in the story. Furthermore, the dragon’s red eyes and bloody belly are thought to symbolize the iron-rich waters caused by ancient Tatara iron smelting, a practice famously conducted in the mountains of this region.
The Legend of the Slaying
The protagonist of our tale is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the impetuous god of storms and the sea. After causing trouble in the High Celestial Plain and upsetting his sister, the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, Susanoo was banished to earth. He descended upon the province of Izumo, near the headwaters of the Hiikawa River.
The Weeping Couple
Upon his arrival, Susanoo encountered an elderly couple weeping beside a beautiful young woman. The couple introduced themselves as Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, earthly deities. They explained their sorrow: for the past seven years, a terrifying monster named Yamata no Orochi had come to devour one of their daughters. Now, the time had come for the beast to claim their eighth and final daughter, Kushinada-hime.
The Beast
Yamata no Orochi was a monster of incomprehensible scale. It possessed eight heads and eight tails. Its eyes glowed red like winter cherries, and moss and cypress trees grew upon its back. Its body was so large it stretched over eight valleys and eight peaks.
The Strategy
Susanoo, struck by Kushinada-hime’s beauty, offered to slay the beast in exchange for her hand in marriage. The parents agreed. To protect the princess, Susanoo transformed her into a comb and placed her in his hair.
He then instructed the couple to build a fence with eight gates. Behind each gate, they placed a vat filled with Yashiori no Sake, a heavily refined, high-purity alcohol. When the dragon arrived, the smell of the sake lured each of its eight heads into the vats. The beast drank greedily until it fell into a drunken stupor.
Seizing the moment, Susanoo drew his sword and hacked the dragon to pieces. The Hiikawa River ran red with the monster’s blood.
The Sacred Sword
As Susanoo cut through the dragon’s fourth tail, his blade chipped. Curious, he sliced the tail open to reveal a magnificent sword hidden inside. This was the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven), later renamed the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. Recognizing its divine quality, Susanoo gifted the blade to his sister, Amaterasu, as a peace offering. Today, it remains one of the Three Sacred Treasures of the Imperial House of Japan.
Yamata no Orochi in Modern Culture
The legacy of this myth permeates modern Japanese pop culture. The concept of an eight-headed dragon or a hydra-like beast appears frequently in anime, manga, and video games.
- Godzilla Franchise: The three-headed King Ghidorah is often associated with Orochi, but the monster Yamata no Orochi itself appears in the film The Three Treasures (1959) and Orochi, the Eight-Headed Dragon (1994).
- Gaming: In the video game Okami, the battle against Orochi is a central plot point, faithfully recreating the sake strategy. The King of Fighters series also heavily borrows from the Orochi mythos.
- Anime: Characters like Orochimaru in Naruto utilize snake imagery and swords referencing the Kusanagi, keeping the legend alive for younger generations.
Traveler’s Tips: Visiting the Land of Myth
If you want to walk in the footsteps of Susanoo, you must visit Shimane Prefecture, specifically the Izumo area. It is known as the “Land of the Gods.”
- Susa Shrine: Dedicated to Susanoo, this shrine is considered a powerful “power spot” brimming with spiritual energy.
- Yaegaki Shrine: This shrine is said to be the place where Susanoo and Kushinada-hime married after the battle. It is famous for its Mirror Pond, used for divination matchmaking.
- Iwami Kagura: You cannot leave Shimane without seeing a Kagura performance. This traditional Shinto theatrical dance features elaborate costumes and masks. The play “Orochi” is the crowd favorite, featuring giant, coiling snake costumes that battle a masked Susanoo on stage. It is a dynamic, fast-paced spectacle.
- Suga Shrine: The location where Susanoo is said to have built his palace. It is here he composed the first Waka poem in Japanese history, celebrating the clouds rising like a fence around his new home.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of this legend and its place in Japanese history, consider reading translations of the primary texts:
- The Kojiki: Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain or Donald L. Philippi.
- The Nihon Shoki: Translated by W.G. Aston.
- The Weaving of Mantra by Ryūichi Abé (for context on esoteric Buddhist integration of Shinto myths).
The slaying of Yamata no Orochi is more than a story of violence; it is a tale of ingenuity, romance, and the taming of nature. Whether you are reading the ancient texts or watching a Kagura dance in the mountains of Shimane, the spirit of the dragon lives on.