***preliminary knowledge***
Translating literally, Tsuchigumo is a "ground spider".
But actually the title doesn't signify a spider.
Tsuchigumo is a derogatory term for the indigenous clans who didn’t pledge allegiance to the emperor in ancient Japan.
Among all, Tsuchigumos lived in Katsuragi-san (Mt. Katsuragi) was especially well-known and feared.
In Kagura performance, Tsuchigumo is rendered in the figure of a monster.
***story***
Minamoto-no-Yorimitsu (948-1021) was ill in bed. A lady's maid, Kocho came up to offer the medicine prescribed by the doctor. Yorimitsu took the medicine, but his condition gets worse and he fell down. The lady brought the medicine was Tsuchigumo turned itself into Kocho and it replaced the medicine with a poison!
At night Tsuchigumo attack Yorimitsu violently, but Yorimitsu slashed at Tsuchigumo with his legendary sword, Hizakirimaru(hizamaru) and the monster ran away. Shitennoh, the Four Great Retainers of Yorimitsu, chased Tsuchigumo tracing its bloodstains and find it at Katsuragi-san.
Tsuchigumo tries to resist with its sorcery and Shitennoh fights desperately to conquer finally.
