Susanoo is a prominent figure in Japanese mythology, known as the god of the sea and storms. His name is variously given in the Kojiki as ‘Takehaya-Susanoo-no-Mikoto’, ‘Haya-Susanoo-no-Mikoto’, or simply as ‘Susanoo-no-Mikoto’. The suffix ‘-no-Mikoto’ is a common honorific appended to the names of Japanese gods and may be understood as similar to the English honorific ‘the Great’.
In Japanese mythology, Susanoo is the younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu and the god of the sea plain. He was driven out of heaven because of his outrageous behavior at his sister’s court. He was born as his father Izanagi washed his nose. Susanoo is infamous for his mischievous and sometimes destructive behavior, which has earned him a reputation as a trickster. He is a powerful and boisterous guardian kami, and his moods are often as temperamental as his actions are chaotic.
Susanoo’s attributes include his association with storms, the sea, and the underworld. He is depicted as a powerful warrior with a fiery temper and a penchant for causing chaos. His family tree includes his parents, Izanagi and Izanami, and his siblings, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. In this article, we will explore Susanoo’s overview, etymology, attributes, family tree, and mythology in more detail.
Overview
Susanoo is a prominent deity in Japanese mythology, known for his association with the sea, storms, harvest, and agriculture. He is also linked to deities of pestilence and disease. Susanoo’s chaotic nature has led to his association with destructive moods and actions. He is often depicted as a powerful and boisterous guardian kami.
Etymologically, Susanoo’s name is derived from the Japanese words “su” meaning “impetuous” and “ano” meaning “male.” This reflects his impulsive and often reckless personality. Susanoo is the younger brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu and the moon god Tsukuyomi, making up the three most important deities in Japanese mythology.
Susanoo was born when his father Izanagi washed his nose. He was granted charge of the sea plain, but was driven out of heaven because of his outrageous behavior at his sister’s court. Despite this, he remained a powerful and revered deity in Japanese mythology, often called upon for protection and guidance during times of turmoil.
Etymology
The name Susanoo is derived from the combination of two Japanese words ‘su’ and ‘sano-o.’ ‘Su’ means ‘to move’ or ‘to make a noise,’ while ‘sano-o’ means ‘great male.’ Therefore, Susanoo is often referred to as the Impetuous Male, owing to his boisterous and chaotic nature.
In Japanese mythology, Susanoo is the god of the sea and storms. He is also associated with agriculture, harvest, and disease. His name reflects his character, which is often impulsive and unpredictable, causing destruction and chaos wherever he goes.
The name Susanoo is commonly used in Japanese culture, appearing in various forms of media such as anime, manga, and video games. It has also been adopted by businesses as a brand name, reflecting the power and strength associated with the god of the sea and storms.
Overall, the name Susanoo reflects the god’s powerful and tempestuous nature, making him a significant figure in Japanese mythology.
Attributes
Physical Description
Susanoo is often depicted as a robust, muscular man with long hair, a beard, and a fierce expression. He is typically shown wearing traditional Japanese clothing and carrying a sword. His appearance is often associated with the sea and storms, with some depictions showing him with a dragon or a serpent.
Powers and Abilities
As the god of the sea and storms, Susanoo possesses immense power and abilities. He has the power to control the winds, waves, and lightning, and can summon storms and typhoons at will. He is also associated with agriculture and harvest, and is said to have the ability to make crops grow and prosper.
In addition to his elemental powers, Susanoo is also known for his prowess in combat. He is a skilled swordsman and is said to have defeated many powerful enemies in battle. He is also known for his ability to transform into various forms, including a dragon, a serpent, and a giant boar.
Overall, Susanoo is a powerful and influential deity in Japanese mythology, with a wide range of abilities and attributes that make him a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Family Tree
Parentage
Susanoo is the younger brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. He is the son of Izanagi and Izanami, the deities who created the islands of Japan. According to mythology, his birth caused the death of his mother, and he was expelled from heaven by his sister Amaterasu due to his outrageous behavior.
Siblings
Susanoo had two siblings, Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi. Amaterasu was the eldest and most powerful of the siblings, ruling over the heavens and the sun. Tsukuyomi, on the other hand, was the god of the moon and ruled over the night. While Susanoo and his siblings were all powerful deities, they did not always get along, and their relationships were often fraught with conflict.
Descendants
Susanoo is said to have fathered many children, including the god of the sea, the god of the wind, and the god of the mountains. He is also said to have fathered a number of powerful demons and monsters, including the eight-headed serpent Orochi. Despite his many descendants, Susanoo himself is not worshipped widely in Japan, and his cult has never been as popular as those of his siblings Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi.
Mythology
Origins
Susanoo is a prominent deity in Japanese mythology, known for his association with the sea, storms, and agriculture. According to the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki, Susanoo is the son of the god Izanagi and the younger brother of Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, and Tsukuyomi, the god of the moon. He was born as his father Izanagi washed his nose.
Adventures
Susanoo’s most famous adventure was his battle with the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. In the myth, Susanoo is banished from heaven for his outrageous behavior at his sister’s court. He then comes across an elderly couple who have been forced to sacrifice their eight daughters to the serpent. Susanoo offers to slay the serpent in exchange for the last daughter’s hand in marriage. He successfully defeats the serpent by getting it drunk and then slaying it with his sword.
Cultural Impact
Susanoo has had a significant impact on Japanese culture and mythology. He is often depicted in art and literature, and his stories have been passed down through generations. Susanoo has also been referenced in popular culture, including in anime and video games. His chaotic nature and association with storms and destruction have made him a popular figure in Japanese mythology.