Jorogumo
Also known as: Binding Bride, Whore Spider, Entangling Bride
A 400-year-old spider that takes the form of a beautiful woman to lure men to their death.
Edo period (1603-1868)
Central Honshu, Japan
Human-sized in shapeshifted form
Predatory, deceptive
Folklore tradition, no verified encounters
The Lore
In Japanese folklore, the jorogumo is a spider that has lived long enough to gain shapeshifting powers, typically transforming into a seductive woman. She lures victims to secluded waterfalls or abandoned houses before binding them in silk. The legend may stem from the very real Nephila clavata spider, known in Japan as the jorogumo spider, which spins remarkably strong golden webs. Sightings and folk tales cluster around waterfall regions in central Japan.
Body Type
Folklore Origin
Media Appearances
- Nioh (video game)
- The Great Yokai War (2005)
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