The Exile of Susanoo: From Heaven to Heroism
Japanese mythology is filled with myriad deities, known as kami, but few are as complex, volatile, and ultimately fascinating as Susanoo-no-Mikoto. Known primarily as the god of storms and the sea, Susanoo is the archetypal anti-hero of the Shinto pantheon. While he is famously celebrated for slaying the eight-headed dragon, Yamata-no-Orochi, that heroic feat was only made possible by his darkest moment: his banishment from the High Plain of Heaven (Takamagahara).
For cultural travelers and mythology enthusiasts, understanding the story of Susanoo’s exile provides essential context to the spiritual landscape of the Izumo region. It is a tale of sibling rivalry, divine transgression, and the bridge between the celestial and earthly realms.
Origins: The Storm God’s Birth
To understand the exile, one must look at the lineage. Susanoo was born from Izanagi, the creator god, as he washed his face to purify himself after visiting the land of the dead. Amaterasu (the Sun Goddess) was born from his left eye, Tsukuyomi (the Moon God) from his right eye, and Susanoo from his nose.
While Amaterasu was given the High Plain of Heaven to rule, Susanoo was assigned the sea. However, characterized by a tempestuous nature, he neglected his duties. Instead of ruling the oceans, he wept and wailed, causing the green mountains to wither and the rivers to dry up. When his father, Izanagi, asked why he cried, Susanoo admitted he wished to visit his mother in the Underworld (Ne-no-Katasu-Kuni). Displeased, Izanagi banished him, setting the stage for his eventual journey to Heaven to bid farewell to his sister, Amaterasu.
The Legend of the Banishment
Susanoo’s ascent to Heaven was anything but subtle. The earth shook and mountains groaned under his steps. Amaterasu, suspecting her brother was coming to usurp her land, armed herself for battle. To prove his intentions were pure (though they arguably were not), Susanoo proposed a trial by pledge (ukehi).
The Divine Contest
They stood on opposite banks of the Tranquil River of Heaven. By chewing pieces of each other’s regalia and spitting them out, they created new gods. Amaterasu created five male gods from Susanoo’s sword, while Susanoo created three female goddesses from Amaterasu’s beads. Susanoo claimed victory, arguing that the purity of his sword produced gentle male deities.
The Rampage
Flush with victory, Susanoo’s behavior turned destructive. In a fit of divine arrogance, he began to destroy the celestial order that Amaterasu maintained. He broke down the ridges between rice paddies, filled irrigation ditches, and defecated in the palace used for the harvest tasting ceremony.
The final straw occurred in the sacred weaving hall. While Amaterasu sat with her weaving maidens making garments for the gods, Susanoo flayed a dappled pony backwards—a taboo act of desecration—and hurled it through the roof of the hall. Terrified, one of the weaving maidens died from the shock (or by accidentally striking herself with the shuttle).
Traumatized and enraged, Amaterasu fled into the Heavenly Rock Cave (Ama-no-Iwato), plunging the world into darkness.
The Judgment
With the sun hidden, evil spirits swarmed the world. The eight million gods (Yaoyorozu-no-Kami) gathered to lure Amaterasu out. Once order was restored and the sun returned, the gods turned their judgment upon Susanoo. He was fined, his beard was cut, his finger and toe nails were pulled out as penance, and he was formally expelled from Takamagahara.
From Exile to Redemption
This banishment is the pivot point of Japanese mythology. Susanoo descended from heaven to the peak of Mount Torikami in the province of Izumo (modern-day Shimane Prefecture).
It was here, stripped of his celestial status but retaining his divine power, that he encountered an elderly earthly couple weeping over their daughter, Kushinada-hime. They explained that the eight-headed dragon, Yamata-no-Orochi, was coming to devour her. Susanoo, the former troublemaker, struck a deal: he would slay the beast in exchange for her hand in marriage. This act of heroism, born from his exile, led to the founding of the ruling dynasties of Izumo and the discovery of the Kusanagi sword, which became part of the Imperial Regalia.
Susanoo in Modern Culture
Susanoo’s transition from a chaotic disruptor to a protective hero resonates deeply in modern Japanese media.
- Anime & Manga: In Naruto, “Susanoo” is a massive spectral avatar used by the Uchiha clan, reflecting the god’s destructive yet protective power.
- Video Games: In Okami, Susanoo appears as a bumbling warrior who eventually finds his courage, mirroring the mythic arc of redemption.
- Symbolism: Culturally, he represents the typhoon—destructive and terrifying, yet an inevitable force of nature that clears the way for new growth.
Traveler’s Tips: Tracing the Exile
If you want to walk the path of the exiled god, head to Shimane Prefecture.
- Izumo Taisha (Izumo Grand Shrine): While dedicated to Okuninushi (Susanoo’s descendant), this area is the heart of the myths. Behind the main hall stands the Soga-no-Yashiro, a small shrine dedicated specifically to Susanoo.
- Susa Shrine: Located in the city of Izumo, this shrine is said to be the place where Susanoo enshrined his spirit after his heroic deeds. It is considered a powerful “power spot” for spiritual energy.
- Suga Shrine: Known as the location where Susanoo built a palace for his new wife after slaying the dragon. It is here he is said to have composed the first waka poem in Japanese history.
Sources & Further Reading
For those wishing to read the original accounts of the exile:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest chronicle in Japan (712 AD), offering the most dramatic telling of the conflict with Amaterasu.
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, this text offers variant versions of the myth, providing a more historical perspective on the lineage of the gods.
- Basics of Shinto: Kokugakuin University Encyclopedia of Shinto.