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rohkova — Yokai March: Tsuchigumo
Published: 2014-03-03 21:35:16 +0000 UTC; Views: 7137; Favourites: 125; Downloads: 25
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Description
The infamous Earth Spider of Japanese folklore, they fit strangely well in the Tenmyodo universe and its history.I've actually had this design in my head for a long while, but it needed an update and it was great to get a full colour reference down. It's interesting that for some Yokai I have gone for cute while others I've kept quite grotesque. Part of it is that I don't want to overlap too much with other Yokai anime and games, and in the Tsuchigumo's case it can act as a doppelganger and take on the form of those that it ensnares.
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Comments: 17
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So, what is more exactly the background behind this creature ?
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Sorry for the delay. Tsuchigumo were apparently an indigenous population in the Japanese peninsula who were wiped out for not accepting the rule of Yamato. Their name translated as Earth Spider, and over time, history began to describe them as these creatures and stories became known of them causing trouble and being slain by Samurai. They are described as having a tiger-like body with spider legs. Japan actually doesn't have any tarantulas but the name Earth Spider is also used to describe the Chinese Bird Spider.
I hope this helps ^^
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Thank you! This Tsuchigumo design was one I had been mulling over for a while, particularly as I wanted to create something both truthful to the original lore but still with original elements. I do love working on little details though, especially when it has hints to their history and nature >w👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Wow, this is awesome. Very detailed and a creative take!
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Thank you so much! I really appreciate that as I have been really hoping to do more with this specie. Hopefully I'll be able to work on some more poses, develop some new characters from this species and try to fit them into a story with my other Yokai (especially my Jorogumo) >v👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You're welcome!!! More spiders, please 
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Ahh thank you very much! >v<
I really wanted to get the balance between the beast and intelligent Yokai and the forearms were the perfect place for it. I was imagining how it would hold things with them or manipulate things with them, while still seeming quite alien. I'm glad you like them >v👍: 0 ⏩: 0
hm don't think I've ever heard of this creature in Japanese lore but nice picture though for I'm going to wiki this up
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Thank you! Yeah there are so many creatures in Japanese folklore. I did a lot of research while working on each of these, but every time I looked them up I discovered even more >v👍: 0 ⏩: 1
you're welcome and that there is
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I appreciate the drawing and it's very well done, especially with the amount of details on it >vbut I would prefer spiders a bit away from me =v=''''
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Hehehe thanks. They usually tend to stay away from humans, unless provoked of course.
But I do have plans for them to appear in my main story in an interesting incident >v👍: 0 ⏩: 0
hehe one creepy yokai, I have to say
I like how you draw it, the details and creepy face/eyes! Also how you made the web so delicate too!
cant wait to see the "big boss" heh XD
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Aww thank you! Yeah, looking at all those spider references, I was hoping to transfer some of that creepy over. The eyes are still my favourite part, though it will be interesting to see how I do it when I draw the "boss" xD;;
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