Ōkuninushi is a major deity in Japanese mythology, widely known as the god of matchmaking and love. However, his divine powers extend far beyond romance—he is also revered for bringing prosperity, good harvests, business success, and family happiness.
Interestingly, Ōkuninushi was an incredibly popular god among women, having six wives and as many as 180 children!
One of his most famous love stories is with Suserihime, the daughter of the storm god Susanoo. If you think ancient mythology lacks romance, think again—this is a tale filled with passion, danger, and dramatic escapes!
Is Ōkuninushi Really a God of Love?
Why is Ōkuninushi considered a deity of love? The answer lies in his many romantic escapades!
Ōkuninushi had six wives—Yagami-hime, Suserihime, Nunakawahime, Takiribime, Kamuyatatehime, and Totori—and fathered 180 children. With a track record like that, it’s no wonder he is believed to bring good fortune in romance!
One of his children is Kotoshironushi.
If you are interested in him, check the article below!
Among all his love stories, his relationship with Suserihime is by far the most famous. Let’s dive into this legendary tale!
The Love Story of Ōkuninushi and Suserihime
Let’s read about the love story of Okuninushi and Suserihime!
The Conflict Over Yagami-hime
Ōkuninushi’s romantic troubles began when he fell in love with Yagami-hime. As foretold by the famous White Rabbit of Inaba, he won her heart.
If you want to read about the story of the rabbit of Inaba and Okuninushi, please read the article below as well!
However, this enraged his jealous brothers, who plotted to kill him.
One day, they ordered him to catch a wild boar—but instead of a boar, a burning rock came rolling down toward him. Ōkuninushi was crushed and burned to death!
Luckily, his mother revived him. But his brothers didn’t stop there. They attacked him again, and this time, he was killed once more.
Realizing that her son was in grave danger, his mother decided to send him away. She advised him to seek refuge in the underworld, the realm of Susanoo, the storm god.
Meeting Suserihime
Upon arriving in the underworld, Ōkuninushi met a beautiful woman named Suserihime. She was the daughter of Susanoo.
The two fell in love at first sight, and Ōkuninushi immediately asked for her hand in marriage. But Susanoo was not an easy father-in-law to impress. Instead of granting permission, he decided to test Ōkuninushi’s courage through a series of dangerous trials.
Here’s the story of the troublemaker “Susanoo”.
Susanoo’s Deadly Trials
Trial 1: Surviving a Pit of Snakes
Susanoo locked Ōkuninushi inside a chamber filled with venomous snakes. Just as they were about to attack, Suserihime secretly handed him a magical cloth and whispered, “Wave this, and you’ll be safe!”
Ōkuninushi did as she said, and miraculously, the snakes became calm, allowing him to survive the night.
Trial 2: Retrieving an Arrow from a Burning Field
For his next test, Susanoo ordered Ōkuninushi to retrieve an arrow from a blazing field. As the flames raged around him, he struggled to find an escape.
Then, a tiny mouse appeared and whispered, “There’s a hole underground!”
Following the mouse’s guidance, he found a safe spot and survived the deadly fire.
Trial 3: Removing Susanoo’s “Lice” (Actually Centipedes!)
Susanoo demanded that Ōkuninushi pick lice from his hair. But to his horror, the “lice” turned out to be giant centipedes!
Fortunately, Suserihime came to his aid once more. She handed him berries, instructing him to chew them and spit them out. The juice made it look like he had crushed the centipedes with his teeth, fooling Susanoo.
The Great Escape
Having survived all of Susanoo’s deadly trials, Ōkuninushi knew it was time to flee with Suserihime.
While Susanoo slept, Ōkuninushi stole his legendary sword, bow, and arrows, then took Suserihime and ran. However, as they fled, a koto (Japanese harp) accidentally struck a tree, making a loud noise!
The noise woke Susanoo, who immediately realized what was happening. Furious, he chased after them!
Ōkuninushi and Suserihime ran desperately, but Susanoo was gaining on them. As they reached Yomotsu Hirasaka (the boundary between the world of the living and the dead), Susanoo finally shouted:
“Use my sword and bow to defeat your enemies! Take Suserihime as your wife, and build a grand palace at the foot of Mount Uka!”
With those words, Susanoo finally accepted their love, and the couple safely escaped.
Conclusion: The Birth of a Great God
After overcoming countless hardships, Ōkuninushi and Suserihime built their home at Mount Uka. With Susanoo’s weapons and blessings, Ōkuninushi became a powerful ruler.
His story is one of love, resilience, and divine favor, making him a god not just of romance but of prosperity, protection, and success.
To this day, he remains one of Japan’s most beloved deities, enshrined at Izumo Taisha, one of the country’s most important Shinto shrines.
If you’re seeking love, success, or protection, perhaps visiting a shrine dedicated to Ōkuninushi might just bring you good fortune!
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