J is for Jorogumo

Name: Jorōgumo

Area of Origin: Japan

The Jorōgumo is a type of Yokai; a creature, ghost or goblin of Japanese folklore. With translations of its name varying from “Woman-Spider”, “Entangling Bride” or alternatively, in older variations “Whore Spider”, it is depicted as a spider that can transform into a beautiful seductress. When the creature finds its prey in a young, handsome, love-seeking man, it lures the man to its home, where it proceeds to entrap the victim in its silk webbing and devour him. Sometimes the Jorōgumo will play a Biwa or Shamisen, a type of Japanese Lute to entrance the victim and lure him into a false sense of security before committing the act. The name Jorōgumo also refers to the Joro Spider (Nephila Clavata) a member of the Golden Orb-Web Spider genus.