Myths & Monsters – The Jorōgumo

I’m passionate about collecting myths and stories of mystical beings from around the world. They reflect ancient fears and hopes – and they continue to inspire new drawings again and again. One legend that has fascinated me for a long time is that of the Jorōgumo, the spider demon in the shape of a woman from Japan.

They say that deep within Japan’s dense forests lives a creature that disguises itself as a beautiful young woman to lure unsuspecting men into its web.The Jorōgumo – literally “Binding Spider” – preys especially on woodcutters and travelers, as they are often alone and vulnerable in nature.

The story tells of a woodcutter who, after a long day in the forest, discovers an abandoned hut.As he approaches, a graceful woman opens the door – her smile warm, yet strangely enigmatic.Gratefully, he accepts her invitation. The evening is cool, and the night has fallen.

Inside the hut, everything is still.The woman offers food and kind hospitality, sharing stories as the fire crackles.But the longer he stays, the more unsettled he feels.Her eyes shimmer oddly, and a delicate thread of cobweb seems to cling to her elegant hands.

When he finally rises to leave, he finds the door won’t open. Panic sets in – and suddenly, before his eyes, the woman dissolves.Her form melts away to reveal a giant, glistening spider – a demon who traps her victims in silken webs and devours them slowly.

The woodcutter struggles in vain, but the spider binds him in invisible threads.His cries vanish into the forest. He is never seen again.Other men tell similar tales – of alluring women who turn out to be deadly traps.

The Jorōgumo is more than just a monster – she is a living warning.A symbol of seduction and deceit, of downfall through false beauty and deceptive charm.Her story reminds us to be wary and to respect the mysterious powers of nature.

My drawing of the Jorōgumo aims to capture this duality – the delicate grace and the deadly power of a creature that is both woman and spider.

I’m excited to share this and other myths with you – stories that live on through art and continue to ignite the imagination.