Tsuchigumo is a spider-like race of Yōkai in Japanese folklore. The name Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) literally translates to "dirt/earth spider".
The Tsuchigumo is described as a huge spider with a very distinct face. This can vary from being human like to being more Oni like in different interpretations.
In The Tale of the Heike there is a passage known as the Sword Scroll or "tsurugi no maki" which tells the tale of the conflict between Yorimitsu and the Tsuchigumo. In this tale Yorimitsu uses the sword Hizamaru to defeat a yaragumo or "mountain spider" and renaming the sword to "Kumogiri" meaning "Spider Cutter".
