Japanese heroic legend, Davis retelling
Goblin Spider
A mysterious boy brings medicine to the sick Raiko at midnight, but the warrior grows worse after taking it. When Raiko confronts the visitor, the fleeing figure throws webs that restrain him and his retainer. The Goblin Spider is found wounded in a cave and killed, after which Raiko recovers.
Also known as Raiko's Goblin Spider · Spider in Raiko's illness tale
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In the sources
A suspected helper revealed as an assailant
TraditionalThe unknown midnight visitor delivers medicine, but Raiko becomes suspicious when his illness worsens. When attacked, the visitor flees and casts webs that cling tightly to the warrior.
The hidden creature and recovery
TraditionalDavis describes a wounded Goblin Spider found in a cave and killed. Its death removes the evil influence in the tale, and Raiko regains health and strength.
Context & interpretation
This entry follows the first Goblin Spider version given by Davis and keeps it separate from the following variant involving an enchanted maiden. The illness and recovery are narrative events, not medical evidence of a supernatural cause. The alternate story involving the enchanted maiden remains a separate version.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
a huge white sticky webOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter II, printed p. 48
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0055
- Original scan leaf
- 66
- Recorded leaf number
- 66
- Current Reader position
- 54
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
The Goblin Spider was eventually discovered in a caveOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter II, printed p. 49
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0056
- Original scan leaf
- 67
- Recorded leaf number
- 67
- Current Reader position
- 55
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Dragon King of Lake Biwa
The ruler beneath Lake Biwa who seeks Hidesato's protection against a centipede in Davis's tale.
Same subject and traditionGoblin of Oyeyama
The mountain goblin king defeated by Raiko and his companions in Davis's account.
Same subject and traditionYorimasa's Monster
The composite nocturnal creature that haunts an emperor's palace and is defeated by Yorimasa in Davis's legend.