In Japanese folklore jorogumo is a spider yokai that feeds on humans. When regular golden orb spiders reach 400 years of age they develop supernatural powers including the ability to shapeshift. In order to obtain humans to eat, they will often take the form of beautiful women in order to seduce unsuspecting male victims. She will lure the men to her home only to trap them in her powerful web. Jorogumo use their toxic venom to poison their victims, then enjoy watching them slowly die. Over time jorogumo can amass piles of human bones without anyone suspecting a thing. They also have the ability to control other spiders, including fire-breathing spiders, which they command to burn down the houses of anyone who might be suspicious of their actions. Sometimes jorogumo are nushi (guardian spirits) of ponds. I’ve written about nushi in my most recent post if you'd like to read more.

🎨1. Anna Valerious; 2 Matthew Meyer (via yokai.com); 3. Toriyama Sekien.