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The Eight-tailed Serpent
Seven daughters of Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi are swallowed up by the Eight-tailed Serpent on the banks of the Hi River, in Izumo-no-kuni (modern Shimane Prefecture). The god Susanowo-no-mikoto, who had been banished from the Central Land of the Reed Plains, hears the couple's story, feels sorry for them, and agrees to save their eighth daughter, Kushiinada-hime, and slay the serpent. At the end of a fierce fight, a sword comes forth from the slain serpent's tail. Susanowo-no-mikoto calls the sword Amenomurakumo-no-tsurugi (Heavenly Cloud-cluster Sword) and presents it to Amaterasu-ômikami.   NPO Hiroshima kagura Art Laboratory |