The Earth Spider's Defeat: Minamoto no Yorimitsu's Legendary Battle
- Re.JapBook
- Feb 12
- 1 min read
From Tsukioka Yoshitoshi's "New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts" Series
The Warrior's Affliction
This dynamic print illustrates the famous tale of Minamoto no Yorimitsu (Raikō) and his encounter with the supernatural Tsuchigumo (Earth Spider). While Yorimitsu lay ill in his bed chamber, a mysterious event would lead to one of Japan's most celebrated monster-slaying legends.
The Midnight Intruder
One night, a suspicious priest of extraordinary height—over seven feet tall—approached Yorimitsu's sickbed, attempting to bind him with rope. Despite his illness, the warrior's instincts remained sharp. He grabbed his sword Hizamaru ("Knee-Cutter") from beside his pillow and struck at the mysterious figure.
The Supernatural Trail
After the priest vanished, Yorimitsu followed a trail of blood drops leading to a mound in Kitano (modern-day Kyoto). There he discovered the true form of his attacker: a massive earth spider, a fearsome yokai combining features of demons, tigers, and spiders.
The Final Strike
Yoshitoshi captures the climactic moment when Yorimitsu delivers the fatal blow to the monster. Upon the creature's death, the warrior's mysterious illness immediately lifted. In commemoration of this victory, Yorimitsu renamed his sword Kumokiri ("Spider-Cutter").
Artistic Interpretation
The print masterfully renders this supernatural confrontation, with particular attention to the earth spider's fearsome visage, which Yoshitoshi depicts with cat-like eyes and an otherworldly expression that perfectly captures its supernatural nature.
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