Susanoo

1After being banished from heaven for his destructive behavior, Susanoo descended to the province of Izumo in the land below.

2There he found an elderly couple weeping beside a beautiful young maiden. They told him that each year an eight-headed serpent called Yamata no Orochi came and devoured one of their daughters.

3This was their last daughter, Kushinadahime, and the serpent would soon come for her. Susanoo agreed to slay the beast in exchange for her hand in marriage.

4Susanoo devised a plan: he had eight vats of sake brewed and placed them out for the serpent. When the great beast came, it dipped each of its eight heads into a vat and drank deeply.

5When the serpent was drunk and sleeping, Susanoo drew his sword and hacked it to pieces. The river ran red with its blood.

6From the tail of the serpent, Susanoo discovered a magnificent sword, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the Grass-Cutting Sword. He presented it to his sister Amaterasu as a peace offering.

7Susanoo married Kushinadahime and built a great palace in Izumo. Looking upon the rising clouds, he composed the first Japanese poem: 'Many clouds rise — the clouds which come forth — a manifold fence of retreating clouds — a manifold fence to enfold these newlyweds — what a fine manifold fence!'