Geji (house centipede) - Geji (English spelling)

Japanese: ゲジ(蚰蜒) - ゲジ（英語表記）house centipede

It is a general term for arthropods belonging to the order Scutigeromorpha of the class Chilopoda (Centipedes) and a species of the family Scutigeromorphidae. Gejigeji is an old name for centipedes, but is still used as a colloquial name. It is thought that this name was derived from a combination of the Onmyodo saying "gejiki" (the spirit of Tengu star descends to the mortal world to eat) and the strange shape of centipedes. Centipedes, with their many long, whip-like legs that run around inside a room, are considered to be the creepiest animals, but they are actually beneficial insects that eat indoor insects.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

唇脚綱(ムカデ綱)ゲジ目Scutigeromorphaに属する節足動物の総称およびゲジ科の1種を指す。ゲジゲジはゲジの古名であるが，俗称としていまも使われている。陰陽道の下食（げじき）(天狗（てんぐ）星の精が下界に下りて食事をすること)とゲジの怪奇な形態とが結びついてこの名になったと思われる。多数の細長いむち状の足をもち部屋の中を走っているゲジ類は気味の悪い動物の筆頭にあげられるが，屋内の虫を食べる益虫である。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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