The Jorogumo (女郎蜘蛛 or 絡新婦, translated as "woman-spider") is a spirit (youkai) from Japanese folklore (originating from Edo period) and falls into the animal-spirit category of such beings. In ancinet Japan animals were seen to be capable of human-level intelligence and those who reached very old age were believed to gain magical powers and a new form as youkai or lesser-deities - Jorogumo is the result of a spider who has achieved such a transformation.
Appearance[]
The Jorogumo, in their true original form, usually takes the appearance of the golden orb-weaver spider (or the Jorō spider) by the legs, and the head and torso of a young woman.
History[]
Jorogumo led solitary and secretive lives, much as they did as spiders, however they have also grown bold and learned to utilize feminine sexuality and seduction to lure unwary human males into their clutches. They often wrap their male victim in webbing and inject him with slow, agonizing toxin so as to enjoy his suffering and inevitable demise - should anyone become suspicious of her ways, the Jorogumo could command other spiders to pursue them or even call on fire-breathing spiders by which to burn the homes of those who become too wary of her.
Thus, it is said that Jorogumo are exceptionally clever killers and can stay hidden even in crowded cities, keeping mortals at bay as hundreds of young men lay dead or dying in her hidden den.
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