Setsubun Kagura - Japanese Storm God vs Giant Serpent

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Setsubun is a Japanese Spring Ritual where Japanese drive away bad luck and evil. At a small shrine in Matsuyama, Shikoku they perform a sacred dance known as kagura which depicts an old legend of Susanoo no Mikoto the Japanese god of Storms fighting a giant evil serpent Yamata no Orochi.

Susanoo no Mikoto is the Japanese god of storms and is known as the Impetus Male for his erratic behavior. He caused great distress on the Heavenly Plains by causing his sister, Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess to flee into a cave thus plunging all into darkness. The other gods were able to get Amaterasu out of the cave and bring sunlight back. The gods decided to exile the troublesome Susanoo to the underworld of the dead Yomi.

On his way to Yomi, Susanoo encountered two earthy deities who were in distress. A great 8-headed serpent known as Yamata no Orochi devoured their daughters and he was returning to consume their last one. Susanoo decided to save their daughter. In the kagura version of the battle, a spectacular battle took place. In the ancient texts of the Nihonshoki and Kojiki, Susanoo played it more cleverly by brewing sake and getting Orochi drunk before chopping him into pieces.

While Susanoo was hacking his enemy up, he came across a sword in Orochi's tail. He sent the sword up to the Heavenly Plain. In later years after the Age of the Gods, the first Emperor Jimmu received the sword which aided him in his conquest of the central part of Japan. The sword became one of the three sacred treasures of the Imperial House.

The Setsubun Kagura takes place at Izumo Taisha shrine (named after the famous one in Shimane prefecture) in Matsuyama on Shikoku Island. Performances start around 10 and occur every 2 hours until 6. Only 2 heads of Orochi make an appearance due to the limited space.


Susanoo no Mikoto vs Yamata no Orochi


Susanoo no Mikoto is the Japanese god of storms

Yamata no Orochi - great 8-headed serpent and devourer of daughters


Susanoo no Mikoto is erratic character - sometimes villainous sometimes heroic





 

Orochi looking at a delicious Miko Shrine Maiden













Location: Japan

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