Tsuchigumo (土蜘蛛) is the commonly known name for a mystical race in Harukanaru Toki no Naka de 4. They were once known as the Tsukuyomi Clan (月読の一族, Tsukuyomi no Ichizoku) in ancient times. Tsuchigumo can be easily identified by their dark skin tone and the intricate cloaks that completely cover their bodies. Despite their close resemblance, they live on a different plane of existence than people in Nakatsu Kuni and have many supernatural powers.
They are one of three ancient clans who once dominated in Nakatsu Kuni's lore, the others being the Himuka Clan and the Star Clan. Tsuchigumo are also associated with the moon and water. Since they aren't mentioned in later records or legends within the parallel world, it can be assumed that they fazed out of existence or were eventually forgotten.
Role in Game
Coming from unknown origins, the Tsukuyomi Clan once lived in Nakatsu Kuni and prospered with people. One particular member of the clan became close to the first White Dragon Priestess. He helped her in the war against the "Bloodied Serpent" as her trusted guardian and healer. When she sacrificed her soul to summon the White Dragon to stop the Bloodied Serpent, the Tsukuyomi grieved for her. Returning to his clan, he told them his tale and her sacrifice. In her honor, they erected a painted memorial for her on the beaches of Kumano.
Once Tsukuyomi discovered that the people in Nakatsu Kuni were unaware of the truth and were praising his beloved with false words, he became angry with them. He encouraged his people to fight against the royal family and joined other groups who were also at war. Unfortunately, their battle ended in a great defeat for his people, as they were labeled as heretics and forced to leave their homes.
The Tsukuyomi ran away from the people chasing them and got separated. Some of them hid in the forests and mountains of Kumano in Nakatsu Kuni. They stayed close to their spiritual companions and learned how to move between the world of the living and the dead. Because of their special abilities, they became isolated from the rest of the population.
The other runaways set sail for the west to be as faraway as they could from their pursuers. Sailing for weeks at sea, they finally reached Tokoyo no Kuni. The Tsukuyomi settled peacefully in the lands that were abundant with greenery and natural resources. Over time, most of the Tsukuyomi who migrated to Tokoyo no Kuni lost their spiritual abilities and became human.
Although the clan dissolved with the split, their descendants lived on in both countries. The name of their clan was lost in legend, but they gained their current name as Tsuchigumo to distinguish themselves.
Powers and Other Traits
Tsuchigumo are renowned for their extraordinary healing powers. Only they can siphon their powers to create a special medicinal water called Ochimizu (変若水). With it they can heal grievous injuries, nullify toxins, and eliminate illness. The water's effects are so powerful that it's rumored to have the powers to revive the dead.
Tsuchigumo not only heal but also cast curses that are unique to their culture. One of these curses is called "Deficient Moon" which causes the victim to feel intense pain and become very weak. Their songs are also enchanted and can attract spirits and wandering souls. If they want to, they can use their music to calm or direct these spirits to attack someone. Only another Tsuchigumo has the power to undo the curse.
Tsuchigumo have incredible strength and speed because of their supernatural dwellings. They can jump and fall from tall buildings without getting hurt and can effortlessly crush hard things. Although they may not be the strongest fighters, their natural abilities are still dangerous to unprepared soldiers. Having Tsuchigumo as allies in war is seen as a good thing. They are especially effective during nighttime raids when their powers are at their strongest.
Their spiritual abilities come with a cost, however, as Tsuchigumo are destined to lose one of their senses at birth. It's expected for people to encounter Tsuchigumo who are mute, deaf, blind, show signs of anosmia, or so on. Each Tsuchigumo has their specific price for their powers, which varies on the individual. Stylized markings appear on their skin to indicate which body part is inhibited.
Like their ancestors before them, Tsuchigumo also risk losing their powers if they constantly remain in contact with people. To protect their supernatural senses, Tsuchigumo wear full bodied, enchanted cloaks called Hitsugi (棺). These robes additionally enable the Tsuchigumo to freely pass through barriers and enter the land of the dead. Tsuchigumo can wear them easily, but Hitsugi are drenched with spiritual curses and energy. It is impossible for a normal person to wear them, and even those with strong spiritual capabilities experience problems if they wear the garment for too long.
When Tsuchigumo wants friends, they can talk and hang out with spirits that cannot be seen by humans. These spirits might depend on Tsuchigumo for their ability to heal, and in exchange, they give them presents or share rumors. If Tsuchigumo need assistance, it is not unusual for them to directly speak to the spirits that are around them.
In their culture they don't call themselves by personal names. They instead name each other with numbered ranks based on their primary abilities at birth. Tooya's real name is "eighteen" in his culture to note his singing abilities. Tsuchigumo with the strongest spiritual capabilities are called "one" or Eka. Their native speaking language is Sanskrit, but they have since adapted to learn Japanese in their interactions with people in the mortal realm.
Mythological Information
Tsuchigumo's namesake is a supernatural spider-like creature of the same name in Japanese mythology. It is literally translated as "Earth Spider", though there is no spider in the world which actually resembles the beast. Alternatively the same spelling was used in Ancient Japan as a derogatory slur for someone who did not swear their allegiance to the imperial throne. Tsuchigumo weren't necessarily bandits or criminals –often being vagabonds or people without territory or property– but they were often persecuted as such. These Tsuchigumo suffered a bloody end if they were caught by the emperor's army and refused to prostrate themselves to the throne.
Characters used for their archaic name are lifted from the Japanese deity known as Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (月読命, 月弓尊, 月讀尊 or 月夜見尊), Tsukutsumi-no-Mikoto (都久豆美命), or Tsukuyomi-Otoko (月読壮士 or 月人壮士); he was one of the Mihashira-no-Uzunomiko and often called Amaterasu's polar opposite. The Furukoto Fumi barely mentions him as a deity who blessed the world with night, but he is better known as an ordained moon deity within the Yamato Bumi. Although the prior texts briefly identify him to be the male middle child of the trio, Tsukuyomi is sometimes known as a woman throughout literature due to the Chinese belief of the moon having strong yin implications (feminine traits).
The Izumo-no-Kuni Fudoki mentions that Tsukutsumi descended to Nakatsu Kuni and created Katsura-no-Sato at the spot which he/she landed, giving birth to the Japanese Judas tree. The same village became a beloved spot for the moon people and spirits. This particular tale is thought to have originated from Ancient India or China and was integrated into Japanese mythology and literature. Compositions within the Manyoushu often compare Tsukuyomi to the full moon and as a deity who could grant immortality with special, rejuvenating water called Wochimizu (変若水).