Myth Tales Vol. 2: The Wonderfully Unhinged Susanoo (Ep. 173)

Jun 9, 2025

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In this second installment of Myth Tales, I explore the wonderfully chaotic journey of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the Shinto storm god whose emotional outbursts literally shook heaven and earth. Born from his father Izanagi's purification ritual, Susanoo embodies the raw, untamed power of storms and seas.

What makes Susanoo so fascinating is his deeply human emotional volatility. Here's a deity who throws cosmic tantrums that cause his sister Amaterasu (the sun goddess) to hide in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. Yet through exile and genuine challenge, this same tempestuous god transforms into a hero - ultimately slaying the legendary eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi and discovering the sacred sword Kusanagi within its body.

I'll take you through Susanoo's complete character arc: from his traumatic birth through water purification, his destructive family conflicts in heaven, his redemptive exile to earth, and his epic battle with one of mythology's most terrifying monsters. Along the way, we'll explore how these ancient stories speak to universal human experiences of emotional struggle, sibling rivalry, and the possibility of positive transformation.

Join me as I share what I find most compelling about this complex deity whose stories reveal profound truths about channeling destructive power into protective heroism.

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Credits

Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

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