Yamata no Orochi

## Merkabah

The Serpent that rises where Evil is Strong

## Names and Epithets

### Aliases

Orochi, Yamata, Madra, Sukinowa, Spirit Orochi, Tsukuyomi (Temporary Disguise), King Ghidorah (Jokingly by a Hunter)

### Titles

Dragon born from the Evils of Man, Giant Eight Branched Snake, Eight-Headed Dragon, Serpent God of Calamity, Great Hydra from Japan, Dark Mythical Monster, Incarnation of Evil, Venom Blood Dragon, Original Carrier of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, Big Snake of Eight Branches

## Profile

### Affiliations

Yamikami, Shinto Pantheon, Tartarus (Prison)

## Relationships

### Other Relationships

Susanoo, Amaterasu & Tsukuyomi (Enemies), Other Kami (Enemies), Angra Mainyu (Observer)

## Other

### Status

Alive (Constantly Resurrecting)

**Yamato no Orochi**, known as **Orochi** for short, is an evil serpent-like dragon from Shintoism that was feared for its malice and constant resurrections, and stood as the greatest enemies of the Shinto Kami.

## Overview

The Yamata no Orochi has eight heads and eight tails, and its enormous body reaches across eight valleys and eight hills. It was known to be completely filled with malice, with no goodness within it. Its blood and breath is venomous to even the divine themselves. It is the arch-enemy of the storm god Susanoo though it holds disdain for all Kami.

Due to its strange conception, Yamato no Orochi is functionally immortal as it will never truly stay dead if there is still evil among the masses. This was finally realized by the divine, forcing them to imprison the great dark serpent to the realm Tartarus.

## Appearance

Yamata no Orochi is a gigantic serpent with eight heads and eight tails. It has bright red eyes and a red belly. The beast is so large that its body covers the distance of eight valleys and eight hills. Fir and cypress trees grow on its back, and its body is covered in moss.

## Powers and Abilities

* **Dark Fire Breath**: The Orochi is able to spit a concentrated beam (or sphere) of dark fire from each of its eight heads which can even harm divine entities.
* **Constricting Coils**: Sporting eight long necks and tails, Orochi is capable of constricting its opponent with its flexible appendages while biting down with its sharp teeth.
* **Sacred Fire Field**: Orochi's very presence is surrounded by sacred fire which harms any being that comes near him if in use. This power was only used once, before its first death by Susanoo.

## History

### Battle with Susanoo

When the storm god, Susanoo, was thrown out of Takamagahara by Amaterasu, and descended to earth at Mount Torikama near the Hi River in Izumo Province. There, he came upon an elderly couple of gods named Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, who were weeping. When Susanoo asked why they were crying, they explained that they once had eight daughters, but every year the eight-headed-eight-tailed serpent Yamata no Orochi demanded one as a sacrifice. They were now down to their eighth and final daughter, Kushinada-hime. Soon it would be time for Yamata no Orochi to demand a sacrifice.

Susanoo explained that he was the elder brother of the sun goddess Amaterasu, and offered to slay the beast in return for Kushinada-hime’s hand in marriage. The elderly couple agreed, and Susanoo set in motion his plan to defeat the serpent.

First, Susanoo transformed Kushinada-hime into a comb, which he placed in his hair. He explains to them that they must brew sake, and refine it eight times. Then, he had Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi build a large fence with eight gates. On each gate they raised a platform and on each platform they placed a vat. They poured extremely strong sake into each vat. When this was finished, everyone waited for the serpent to arrive.

When Yamata no Orochi appeared, the great serpent slithered into the fence and noticed the powerful sake which lures it. It dipped its eight heads into the vats and drank the alcohol. Soon, the monster fell into a deep, drunken sleep. Susanoo used this chance to make his attack. He sliced the enormous beast into tiny pieces with his sword. The carnage was so great that the Hi River flowed with blood. When Susanoo had cut the creature down to its fourth tail, his sword shattered into pieces. Examining the part of Yamata no Orochi’s tail which broke his sword, Susanoo discovered another sword within the creature’s flesh: the legendary katana, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, which was later offered to Amaterasu as a reconciliation gift for their dispute.

## Myths and Legends

Yamata no Orochi appears in the earliest written Japanese documents, the Kojiki and the Nihongi. The legend goes back even farther into pre-history. Yamata no Orochi's name literally translates from Japanese as "Giant Eight Branched Snake," though by convention the English translation is typically given as "Big Snake of Eight Branches." The creature is often referred to as just Orochi for short, an archaic reading of the two kanji which together mean "giant snake" and are typically otherwise read as daija.

## Quotes

* *"And that's why kids, you never drink alcohol left by a stranger."* - Carl Black.

## Gallery

*Susanoo's first conflict with Yamata no Orochi**A brave warrior fighting Yamata no Orochi**Yamata no Orochi in the Ancient Past, before his first death*
## Trivia

* It was known to enjoy any alcoholic beverage, especially sake, along with human flesh. In fact, it is unable to resist drinking sake which has been used against it.
* Centuries ago, four great Onmyōji created a green relic capable of taming the Orochi, which made it obey anyone who holds its statue without hesitation instead of normally wildly thrashing. Unfortunately, some of the more vile Yokai was able to find and destroy it by dumping it in the sea, therefore freeing Orochi from its control.

## Images Sources

* (Riccardo-gualdi-yamata-no-orochi-tartarusgames-art.jpg) Yamata no Orochi by Riccardo Gualdi
* (Story of Yamata no Orochi.jpg) Yamata no Orochi by ヤメル Yamer
* (Luca-trentin-orochi.jpg) Yamata no Orochi by Luca Trentin
* (Yamata no orochi by mikisakiiro d7x7qmx.jpg) Yamata no Orochi by Mikisakiiro
* (Gugenheim-yamata-no-orochi-pt-1.jpg) Yamata No Orochi by Gugenheim
* (Yamatanoorochi-watermark.png) Yamata no Orochi by Matthew Meyer
* (Marina-mostajo-orochi-asset.jpg) OROCHI by marina mostajo
* (Concept Art - Yamato Takeru - Orochi 2.png) Concept Art of Orochi from Toho's Yamato Takeru
* (Orochi IDW.jpg) Orochi from Godzilla: Rage Across Time Issue #1
* (Yamata no Orochi Fadalgia.jpg) Yamata no Orochi by bunjikun