八岐大蛇
Yamata no Orochi
The god Susanoo encounters a family whose daughter is destined to be sacrificed to the eight-headed serpent Yamata no Orochi. He devises a plan to defeat the monster, leading to one of Hiroshima Kagura's most spectacular battles.
The Story
Susanoo, having been banished from the heavenly realm, arrives in the land of Izumo. There he encounters an elderly couple who are mourning because their daughter Kushinadahime is destined to be sacrificed to the monstrous serpent Yamata no Orochi. The serpent has eight heads and eight tails and has demanded a young woman as a sacrifice every year. Susanoo promises to save Kushinadahime and devises a plan to defeat the creature. He prepares eight containers of strong sake and uses them to make the serpent drunk. Once Yamata no Orochi is weakened, Susanoo attacks and defeats the enormous serpent, saving Kushinadahime.
Characters
Susanoo — A powerful deity who encounters the family in Izumo and devises a plan to save Kushinadahime.
Kushinadahime — A young woman who is destined to be sacrificed to Yamata no Orochi.
Her Parents — An elderly couple who have already lost their daughters to the serpent and fear that Kushinadahime will be the next sacrifice.
Yamata no Orochi — The enormous eight-headed and eight-tailed serpent that demands human sacrifices.
The Eight Serpent Heads — The terrifying heads of Yamata no Orochi, often represented by multiple performers and forming the spectacular centerpiece of the performance.
What to Watch For
Watch the Yamata no Orochi itself. The eight-headed serpent is usually represented by multiple performers working together inside a large serpent costume, creating the impression of one enormous creature. The coordinated movement of the heads and body is one of the defining visual features of Hiroshima Kagura. The final battle between Susanoo and the serpent is the spectacular climax of the performance.
Photo Gallery
Photographs from Hiroshima Kagura performances
