Tradition / Region: Japanese Mythology
Alternative names: Ashidakagumo-Henge
Category: Spider
The Myth
The Ashidakagumo-Henge is an aged giant spider that gains the power to transform into a human. Unlike the seductive Jorōgumo, it often appears as an eerie elderly woman whose unnatural presence brings fear and madness.
One tale tells of a man from a mountain village who went out for an evening walk beneath the moon. High in the fork of a great chestnut tree he saw an old woman with tangled hair, blackened teeth, and a disturbing smile staring directly at him. Terrified, he hurried home.
After returning, he fell into an uneasy sleep. The old woman repeatedly appeared in his dreams until, bathed in moonlight, she stood outside his house exactly as she had appeared in the tree. Grabbing his sword, the man prepared himself as the woman slowly opened the sliding door and stepped inside.
As soon as she entered, he struck her across the body with a single powerful slash. The monster staggered from the blow, but before he could strike again the man lost consciousness.
When he awoke, neighbors had gathered after hearing his scream. The mysterious old woman had vanished. Inside the house there was no trace of her except for the severed legs of an enormous spider lying on the floor.
The story concludes that even ordinary spiders, after living long enough, can acquire supernatural power and transform into terrifying human-like beings.
Sources
TYZ. (n.d.). Ashidakagumo-Henge [足高蜘蛛変化]. In 新版TYZ 妖怪図鑑. Retrieved June 28, 2026, from https://tyz-yokai.blog.jp/archives/1010654434.html