Myth and Legend: The Stories of Susanoo and Hachiman

Susanoo and Kushinadahime. (© Satō Tadashi)

Suga Shrine. The stone at center is inscribed with a waka, purportedly the first ever written, attributed to Susanoo and said to be the origin of the name Izumo. (© Pixta)

Kagami-ike, or Mirror Pond, at Yaegaki Shrine. (© Pixta)

Ōkuninushi (© Satō Tadashi)

The haiden (hall of worship) at Hikawa Shrine. (© Pixta)

The main hall of Kyoto’s Ishishimizu Hachiman Shrine. (© Pixta)

Stones are piled around a statue of Jingū holding the infant Ōjin at Umi Hachiman Shrine in Fukuoka, which is said to be where the empress gave birth. (© Pixta)