Femme Fatale of the Web: Exploring the Jorōgumo. #folklore #tales #yokai #famme #fatale
12Jorōgumo is a legendary creature from Japanese folklore. It is depicted as a spider that can shape-shift into a beautiful woman or a female human form with the ability to lure men into its lair and trap them in its spider web, often killing them afterward.
The name Jorōgumo literally translates to "whore spider" or "entangling bride spider." It is said to be able to transform itself from a tiny spider into a seductive woman through supernatural powers.
In some tales, the Jorōgumo is portrayed as a monster that preys on humans, while in others, it is depicted as a cursed woman who takes the form of a spider. The Jorōgumo legend reflects fears and ideas about feminine sexuality and the potential danger of being entrapped by beauty in Japanese culture.
It is a prominent figure in Japanese mythology and has been a subject of artistic and literary works, such as kabuki plays, ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and contemporary manga and anime.