Susanoos

Susanoo no Mikoto, commonly transliterated as Susanoo, is a major Shinto kami of storms and the sea. In the early Japanese chronicles Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, he is the younger brother of Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, and a son of Izanagi. After misbehaving in Heaven, he is banished to the earthly realm and descends to Izumo. There he defeats Yamata-no-Orochi, the eight-headed serpent, with a clever ruse and the sword Kusanagi, which is recovered from the serpent’s tail. He rescues Kushinada-hime and marries her; in some accounts he later presents the sword to Amaterasu, a symbol associated with Japan’s imperial regalia. Susanoo’s actions help establish order in the mortal world, and he is linked with purification rites and misogi, a cleansing ritual.

Iconographically, Susanoo is associated with storms, wind, and the sea, and his worship is strongest in western Japan and the Izumo region, where he is invoked for protection, fertility, and safe voyages. His character is described as impulsive and hot-tempered, yet he is also celebrated as a heroic figure who defeats monsters and restores balance.

In modern culture, the name Susanoo appears in various works beyond traditional myth, including the Naruto manga and anime, where Susanoo denotes a powerful chakra-based construct used by certain characters.