須佐之男命すさのおのみこと

Meanings

noun

Susanoo-no-Mikoto

Shinto

Shinto deity, younger brother of Amaterasu, known for his wild nature and slaying of Yamata-no-Orochi.

須佐之男すさのおの命みことは八や岐また大蛇のおろちを退たい治じしたと伝つたえられている。
Susanoo-no-Mikoto is said to have slain the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi.

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Kanji

須ought, by all means, necessarily
佐assistant, help
之of, this
男male
命fate, command, decree
素elementary, principle, naked
戔damage, remain, slight
嗚weep, ah, alas
尊revered, valuable, precious

Related words

天照大神あまてらすおおみかみ
Amaterasu is the sun goddess and elder sister of Susanoo; their relationship is central to many myths.
八岐大蛇やまたのおろち
The eight-headed serpent slain by Susanoo, a key myth associated with this deity.

Written forms

須佐之男命すさのおのみこと
Standard kanji spelling for the deity Susanoo-no-Mikoto.
素戔嗚尊すさのおのみこと
Alternate kanji spelling, also used in Shinto contexts.
スサノオノミコト
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in modern contexts.
スサノヲノミコト
- すさのおのみこと
  Historical katakana spelling using ヲ; rarely used today.
- スサノヲノミコト
  kana-only spelling

Etymology

The name Susanoo-no-Mikoto is of ancient Japanese origin, with uncertain etymology. The kanji 須佐之男命 and 素戔嗚尊 are conventional spellings used in Shinto texts.