Reading Notes: Heavenly Beings: Susanoo and Orochi
I found this plot of the story very fascinating. “Alas, most honourable Lord, we bewail the loss of our eight beloved daughters, who, year after year, have been slain and devoured by the terrible eight-forked serpent of Koshi. Time is that the loathly monster cometh and this our last remaining daughter will surely perish. Wherefore do we grieve exceedingly.”
This story is quite interesting, yet very bloody. Its main theme seems to be about violence and revenge.
“It hath eyes as red as a ripe mountain cherry, a noisome blood-inflamed body, armed with eight fearsome heads and eight forked tails. Moreover its back is all overgrown with firs, cedars, and pines, and it trails its tortuous coils over eight valleys and as many mountains."
This description of the monster is a bit gory, but I love how the old man uniquely and vividly illustrated the monster.
'A river of blood gushed from each separate head, and as he severed the last remaining tail the edge of his august sword was notched. Marvelling greatly, he slit the tail of the serpent and discovered therein a miraculous sword, the divine Kushanagi (Herb-queller), which he delivered to the God of Heaven.'
I thought this kind of killing the evil dragon ending was similar to European medieval plot. It is a Japanese story, yet they have similar theme in common.
Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917). Source
This story is quite interesting, yet very bloody. Its main theme seems to be about violence and revenge.
“It hath eyes as red as a ripe mountain cherry, a noisome blood-inflamed body, armed with eight fearsome heads and eight forked tails. Moreover its back is all overgrown with firs, cedars, and pines, and it trails its tortuous coils over eight valleys and as many mountains."
This description of the monster is a bit gory, but I love how the old man uniquely and vividly illustrated the monster.
'A river of blood gushed from each separate head, and as he severed the last remaining tail the edge of his august sword was notched. Marvelling greatly, he slit the tail of the serpent and discovered therein a miraculous sword, the divine Kushanagi (Herb-queller), which he delivered to the God of Heaven.'
I thought this kind of killing the evil dragon ending was similar to European medieval plot. It is a Japanese story, yet they have similar theme in common.
Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney (1917). Source
Susanoo slaying the Yamata-no-Orochi. Source: Toyohara Chikanobu
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