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Jorōgumo: The Deadly Spider Woman from Yokai Lore

Season 2 Episode 7 | 9m 53s

Although able to appear as a beautiful young woman, the jorōgumo is really a deadly spider monster in disguise. This episode dives into the fascinating world of yōkai and the long history of beautiful women and spiders in Japanese folklore. You’ll learn about the real-world spider that may have inspired this monster, and discover two of the oldest recorded jorōgumo stories in existence.

Aired: 06/10/20
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Let’s talk about the eerie and unsettling legend of changelings.
Rooted in Greek culture, the Christmas monster Kallikantzaros is a goblin-like creature.
You think you know Gremlins—but their story is far deeper than just the 1984 movie.
Let’s talk slasher films–their origins, their lasting impact, and why we love them so much!
Is the Manticore a man-eating monster from Persian myth or simply a misidentified tiger?
Jiangshi, is a variation on the vampire that you won’t soon forget!
Translation has shaped the lore of Grendel's Mother as a fearsome yet misunderstood figure.
La Lechuza: The Shape-Shifting Witch-Owl
King Kong and how his long-lived story has changed to reflect our society’s complex social issues.
Ever felt like a place seems real yet oddly unsettling?