Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 12th to 17th Century

Geographic Range: Found in caves in Japan

Diet: Anything that wanders into its web

Standing at an impressive 60 meters long, Tsuchigumo is one of the largest Yōkai we have encountered to date. This enormous spider (its name roughly translates to "dirt spider" or "earth spider”) is terrifying, even for those who aren't afraid of arachnids.

Classical writings describe encounters with Tsuchigumo, and tales of terror were even passed on musically by musicians on lutes. One ancient story describes a particular Tsuchigumo whose belly, when slit open, spilled nearly 2,000 human skulls. Such a voracious appetite demonstrates the immense amount of protein required to maintain a creature of this size.

Tsuchigumo can be defeated by a sword named Kumokiri, or "spider-cutter," but since you're unlikely to have that lying around, exercise extreme caution.