Editing Tsuchigumo (section)

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{{Short description|Japanese folklore creature}}
{{Nihongo|'''Tsuchigumo'''|土蜘蛛|extra=also written 土雲, literally "dirt/earth spider"}} is a historical Japanese derogatory term for renegade local clans, primarily during the Asuka, Nara, and early Heian periods, and also the name for a race of spider-like {{transliteration|ja|yōkai}} in [[Japanese folklore]]. Alternative names for the historical groups include {{Nihongo|'''kuzu'''|国栖}},<ref name="Takine">[[瀧音能之|Takioto Yoshiyuki]], in [[松枝到|Matsueda Itaru]] (ed.)「土蜘蛛の原義について」(On the original meaning of Tsuchigumo)『象徴図像研究：動物と象徴』(Symbolic Iconography Research: Animals and Symbols) 言叢社 (Gensōsha), 2006 ISBN 4-86209-007-9 pp.79-100.</ref> and for the mythological ''Tsuchigumo'', {{Nihongo|'''yatsukahagi'''|八握脛|extra=roughly "eight-grasp shins," referring to their long legs}}<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://kotobank.jp/word/八束脛-400549 |title= 八束脛とは |language=ja |website=Kotobank |access-date=2020-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118121233/https://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%85%AB%E6%9D%9F%E8%84%9B-400549 |archive-date=18 November 2023}}</ref> and {{Nihongo|'''ōgumo'''|大蜘蛛|extra="giant spider"}}.<ref name="kurashi">{{Cite book|author=岩井宏實|authorlink=岩井宏實|title=暮しの中の妖怪たち|year=2000|publisher=河出書房新社|series=河出文庫|isbn=978-4-309-47396-3 |pages=156頁}}</ref> In the ''[[Kojiki]]'' and ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', the name was phonetically spelled with the four kanji {{lang|ja|都知久母}} (for the four morae ''tsu-chi-gu-mo'').<ref name="kyoka">{{Cite book|author=京極夏彦・多田克己 編著|editor1-link=Kyōgoku Natsuhiko|editor2-link=Tada Katsumi|title=妖怪画本 狂歌百物語|year=2008|publisher=国書刊行会|isbn=978-4-3360-5055-7|pages=293–294頁}}</ref> References to "tsuchigumo" appear in the chronicles associated with [[Emperor Jimmu]], [[Emperor Keiko]], and [[Empress Jingū]], and these words were frequently used in the {{transliteration|ja|[[Fudoki]]}} (ancient reports on provincial culture, geography, and oral tradition) of various provinces, including [[Mutsu Province|Mutsu]], [[Echigo Province|Echigo]], [[Hitachi Province|Hitachi]], [[Settsu Province|Settsu]], [[Bungo Province|Bungo]], and [[Hizen Province|Hizen]].<ref name="Takine"/><ref name="kyoka"/>

The term "Tsuchigumo" (earth/dirt spider) is believed to be derived from an older derogatory term, {{nihongo3||土隠|tuchigomori}}, meaning "those who hide in the ground".<ref>{{cite book|page=178|title=体系 日本の歴史 1 日本人の誕生|author=Makoto Sahara ([[Nara National Research Institute for Cultural Properties]])|publisher=[[Shogakukan]]|year=1987|isbn=978-4096220016}}</ref><ref name="koto1">{{cite web|url=https://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%9C%9F%E8%9C%98%E8%9B%9B-99277|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212135352/https://kotobank.jp/word/%E5%9C%9F%E8%9C%98%E8%9B%9B-99277|script-title=ja:土蜘蛛|language=ja|publisher=Kotobank|archive-date=12 February 2023|access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref> This name likely referred to the fact that many of these clans utilized existing cave systems or built fortified dugouts and earthworks (Japanese: 土窟; tsuchi-muro or iwa-muro) in which to live and defend themselves.<ref name="Takine"/> The term was used by the Yamato court as a generalized pejorative against chieftains and clans who would not submit to Imperial authority, regardless of their ancestry or location. They were often described in official records like the ''Nihon Shoki'' and various ''Fudoki'' as possessing "the nature of a wolf, the heart of an owl," being violently resistant, and dwelling in mountain caves or earthen fortifications.<ref name="Takine"/> Some descriptions portrayed them as having abnormal physical characteristics; the "Jimmu" chapter of the ''Nihon Shoki'' describes them as "short in stature but long in limbs, similar to pygmies (侏儒)," while an excerpt from the lost ''Echigo Fudoki'' mentions Tsuchigumo with "shins eight 'tsuka' [hand-breadths] long, and possessing great strength."<ref name="Takine"/> These descriptions likely served to dehumanize these groups and emphasize their "otherness" from the perspective of the Yamato state.

Historian Sōkichi Tsuda ([[:ja:津田左右吉|ja]]) pointed out that, unlike terms like [[Kumaso]] and [[Emishi]] which referred to distinct groups, "Tsuchigumo" as used in the ''Fudoki'' often appears as the designation for specific individuals rather than entire peoples.<ref name="Takine"/> Historian Yoshiyuki Takioto ([[:ja:瀧音能之|ja]]) further suggests that these individuals were likely local chieftains whose power stemmed from shamanistic authority. This is supported by accounts in the Kyushu ''Fudoki'' where certain Tsuchigumo figures appear as priests or mediums involved in agricultural rituals or appeasing angered deities ({{transliteration|ja|[[kami]]}}).<ref name="Takine"/>

The transformation of the Tsuchigumo into a monstrous, giant spider-like {{transliteration|ja|[[yōkai]]}} occurred during the Japanese medieval period (late 12th to early 17th centuries). One of the earliest and most influential depictions is found in variant texts of ''[[The Tale of the Heike]]'', particularly the "Sword Scroll" ({{transliteration|ja|tsurugi-no-maki}}), which was compiled in the early 13th century. In this version, the creature is called a {{nihongo3|"mountain spider"|山蜘蛛|'''yamagumo'''}}, and its defeat by the hero [[Minamoto no Yorimitsu]] gives rise to the legend of his sword, Kumo-kiri ("Spider-Cutter").{{sfnm|1a1=Reider|1y=2013|1p=56}}{{sfnm|1a1=Shida|1y=1983|1p=389}} As depictions evolved through later periods, the Tsuchigumo became increasingly bizarre and monstrous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rekishijin.com/10844|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927104403/https://www.rekishijin.com/10844|script-title=ja:土蜘蛛～山中の異形の妖怪も、元は善良な民だった⁉|language=ja|author=Katsuhiko Fujii|publisher=ABC Ark, Inc.|date=8 February 2021|archive-date=27 September 2022|access-date=12 February 2023}}</ref> The 14th-century {{transliteration|ja|[[emakimono]]}} (picture scroll) ''[[Tsuchigumo Sōshi]]'' portrays it as a colossal monster, and stories involving its extermination often feature Yorimitsu and his legendary retainer [[Watanabe no Tsuna]], heroes also famous for defeating the powerful {{transliteration|ja|[[oni]]}} [[Shuten-dōji]].<ref>{{cite book|page=74|title=日本の妖怪の謎と不思議|author=Sachie Miyamoto, Azusa Kumagai|publisher=[[Gakken]]|year=2007|isbn=978-4056047608}}</ref> The yōkai Tsuchigumo became a popular subject in [[Noh]] theatre, [[Jōruri (music)|Jōruri]] puppet plays, and [[Kabuki]].<ref name="koto1"/> It's important to note that the historical Tsuchigumo have no direct connection to the actual ground spider species {{transliteration|ja|[[Jigumo]]}} (''Antrodiaetus japonicus'').<ref>寺島良安 島田勇雄他訳 『[[和漢三才図会]]』7 [[平凡社]] 1987年 ISBN 4-582-80471-3 318頁 虫部卵生類つちぐも</ref> Similarly, the modern Japanese common name for [[tarantula]]s (Ōtsuchigumo-ka, オオツチグモ科, ''Theraphosidae'') was inspired by the mythological creature but has no historical link, as tarantulas are not native to Japan.