Jorogumo: The Binding Bride
The Arachnid-Woman
The Jorōgumo (Web-Entangling Woman) is the result of supernatural longevity. According to Japanese folklore, when a Golden Orb-Weaver spider lives for 400 years, it gains magic. It grows to the size of a bull and acquires the ability to shapeshift into a human woman. She is an ambush predator who uses seduction as her primary weapon. She targets young samurai or travelers, luring them into isolation before reverting to her true form to feed.
The Biwa Strategy
Her preferred disguise is that of a musician. She appears by waterfalls or in isolated inns, playing the Biwa (lute).
- The Lullaby: Her music is hypnotic, lowering the guard of the victim. This baby is an illusion. It becomes as heavy as a boulder, pinning the victim to the ground so she can feed without resistance.
The Joren Falls
The most famous haunt of this Yokai is the Joren Falls in Izu. A woodcutter once dropped his axe into the water and met a beautiful woman who returned it. He fell in love and kept her secret for years. The moment he broke his promise and told the story, he was dragged into the basin by invisible threads. Locals rarely approach the basin's edge for fear of the "Spider leg" that might reach out.
Weaknesses
She is biologically an arachnid, despite her magic.
- Fire: Like all insectoid monsters, she is terrified of fire. Burning her lair is the only sure way to drive her out.
- Shadows: Her shapeshifting is imperfect. In strong lamplight, her shadow may still resemble a spider.
The Final Warning
Predators chase, but spiders wait. They build a beautiful thing and trust in the curiosity of their prey. If you hear the soothing strum of a lute in a place where no musician should be, do not follow the song. The web is already spun. The vibration you feel is her footsteps, meaning you are walking into a trap.
