Tsuchigumo - Earth Spider
- Date:
- Not set
- Medium:
- Woodblock print
- Format:
- Oban
- Publisher:
- Watanabe Shozaburo
- Edition:
- Published by Watanabe Shozaburo
- Source:
- Japanese Art Open Database
Description
Tsuchigumo — the Earth Spider — is a figure from Japanese legend: a giant spider-demon associated with the mountains of Yamato province, defeated by the legendary warrior Minamoto no Raiko. The subject appeared in both Noh and kabuki as a dramatic supernatural encounter, and Kotondo's print likely depicts a theatrical version of this confrontation. The supernatural subject is unusual within his predominantly bijin-ga oeuvre, suggesting a commission or a personal interest in the dramatic possibilities of kabuki's demon-fighting plays.
More Prints by Torii Kotondo
More Insects Prints
Featured in Collections
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tsuchigumo - Earth Spider was created by Torii Kotondo (鳥居言人) in Not set.
Tsuchigumo - Earth Spider was published by Watanabe Shozaburo (Not set).
Tsuchigumo - Earth Spider depicts insects.