This is a planning post to write a story based on the story of the Eight-Forked Serpent of Koshi, from the Japanese Mythology unit (Romance of Old Japan, Part I: Mythology and Legend by E. W. Champney and F. Champney).
In the original story, Susanoo outwits and kills the serpant who has plagued Princess Kushinada’s family for years and eaten all of her seven sisters. In return for Susanoo’s help, Kushinada marries Susanoo. In my version, Susanoo is defeated, and his bride-to-be, Kushinada, tames the serpent instead. So, lacking a husband, but having gained a dragon, Kushinada takes Susanoo's place as the deity of summer storms. Kushinada herself is a minor goddess, but the serpent (along with the divine sword in its tail) will function as her new divine tool: it transports her around on its back, its roars are her source of thunder, and its eight long necks could evoke an appearance of white lightning.
Notes on characters:
Kushinada: Takes on the cunning/trickster role in the story instead of Susanoo by drugging the serpent with sake. She progresses the plot more than anyone else: she prays to Susanoo, and she is ambitious enough to take up his sword by the end of the story. She doesn’t seem to have a domain besides beauty, which she acknowledges isn’t very helpful.
Susanoo: Kushinada prays to Susanoo to get him to appear. He has a much smaller role than in the original. Since he’s been displaced from his spot in the heavens, Kushinada is then able to take his place as the god of storms.
Orochi: The serpent who ate all seven of Kushinada’s sisters. He’s intent on eating Kushinada too.
So far, the most difficult part of writing this story (3/4 of the way through one draft) is managing the length of each section. The beginning provides some background on the celestial gods and on Kushinada’s situation, but the showdown between Orochi and Susanoo is relatively short. I need to find a way to lengthen that part of the story and write in more tension and conflict. Most of the information I can find on Susanoo involves this story and from the story of Amaterasu’s mirror, but there isn’t much. I may try to find a way to characterize him more strongly and write the fight based on that.
Hey Taylor! Your story idea seems really great! I'm excited to read the whole thing! I wish I had a better understanding of the original story and all the roles the characters had. I think what you are planning to do will be great! I think it is awesome that you're making the story your own, and kind of adding a gender switch up in there. I like the idea of the girl being the strong one to finally tame the serpent and become a goddess.
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