Uncanny Japan
Uncanny Japan explores obscure corners of old Japan, from strange superstitions and cultural curiosities to creepy creatures. Host Thersa Matsuura, a writer and folklorist living in Japan for over 35 years, shares lesser-known gems discovered during her research. Each episode features immersive sound design and relaxing binaural soundscapes recorded in Japan. The podcast is part of SpectreVision Radio, a network focusing on the arts and the uncanny.
エピソード
Creepy Story Time: "By the Japanese Sea" -- Lafcadio Hearn
On the final days of Obon, fishermen along Japan’s western coast once believed the sea belonged to the dead.
In this episode, I read Lafcadio Hearn’s eerie and beautiful essay “By the Japanese Sea.” Along the journey, we encounter drowned spirits rising from the waves, cats carried aboard fishing boats to ward off ghosts, delicate straw vessels made for lost souls, and a haunted futon whispering
Tanabata: Star-Crossed Lovers (Ep.55) -- From the Vault
A short Tanabata tale from the Uncanny Vault: Orihime the weaving princess, Hikoboshi the cowherd, and the river of stars that keeps them apart. On the seventh night of the seventh month, wishes are written on colorful strips of paper, tied to bamboo, and sent into the summer sky.
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Childhood Incantations: Engacho, Pain Magic, & Severed Pinkies! (Ep. 194)
Two little boys find a dead bird on a mountain path. One accidentally touches it with his shoe, and suddenly the invisible contagion begins. Fingers cross. A circle is made. A hand chops through it. “Engacho!”
In this episode of Uncanny Japan, we explore the everyday magic words and protective spells of childhood in Japan. There’s engacho, used to cut away contamination, bad luck, and all things
Utsuro-Bune: The Hollow Ship Revisited (Ep. 193)
In 1803, fishermen on Japan’s Hitachi coast spotted something round and unfamiliar drifting offshore. They hauled the hollow vessel onto the beach—and discovered a mysterious young woman inside.
Step into the story as one of those fishermen. Examine the vessel’s clouded windows and iron-plated hull, hear the woman speak in a language no one understands, and watch as she fiercely protects a box sh
The Big Three UFO/UAP Incidents in Japan + One! (Ep. 192)
Japan’s 1970s UFO boom gave us some wonderfully strange cases: children capturing a tiny hat-shaped UFO in Kōchi, two boys encountering wrinkled aliens in a Yamanashi vineyard, and a Hokkaidō farmer who claimed repeated abductions, spoon-bending powers, and telepathic contact with beings from the Samon Call Galactic Planetary Federation.
In this episode, we look at Japan’s “Big Three” UFO inciden
The Ghost-Playing Actor Who Became a REAL Vengeful Ghost: Kohada Koheiji (Ep. 191)
Not all Japanese revenge ghosts are wronged women. Meet Kohada Koheiji: a failed Edo-period actor who became famous for playing ghosts, only to be murdered, drowned, and returned as the very thing he once performed. In this episode, we explore the tangled history of the “real” Koheiji, Santō Kyōden’s gruesome tale, Nanboku’s kabuki adaptation, strange actor superstitions, severed fingers, rotten r
All That Flows: Benzaiten, White Snakes, and Human-Headed Serpents
In this episode of Uncanny Japan, we follow Benzaiten — also known as Benten — from her origins as Saraswati to her place among Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. Along the way: Enoshima’s five-headed dragon, white snakes as divine messengers, snake-skin wallets, house snakes, and Ugajin, the wonderfully strange human-headed snake deity linked to rice, water, fertility, fortune, and wealth.
Learn more abou
Everyone Has a Throat Buddha / What is it and Why? -- Nodohotoke & Story Time: "The Buddha Bone" (Ep. 189)
Have you ever heard of the nodo-hotoke, or “throat Buddha”? In everyday Japanese, it usually refers to the Adam’s apple. But after death, especially in the context of cremation, the nodo-hotoke becomes something else entirely, the actual seat of your soul.
In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I talk about the fascinating and beautiful funeral custom of gathering bones after cremation, using long cho
Ofuda & Omamori: Lucky Talismans & Charms
After exploring animal spirit possession last episode, Thersa turns to the Japanese ways of staying safe, getting a little lucky, and maybe even finding love through ofuda and omamori, talismans and charms filled with divine power and everyday hope. With birdsong in the background and stories woven throughout, the episode ends on a quietly unsettling note that has ushi no koku mairi (cursing your
Tsukimono: Possessed by an Animal (Ep. 187)
What is tsukimono? In Japanese culture, it’s the unsettling idea of possession—when a human or animal spirit attaches itself to you and usually does harm.
In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I explore animal possession: foxes, dogs, snakes, and even horses that cling to people for reasons both known and unknowable. What causes it? How can you tell if someone is possessed? And what happens when supe
Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)
A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in ways you might not expect.
In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime, daughter of the infamous Taira no Masakado, and the terrifying Gashadokuro. How did a princess become a sorceress? What kind of magic involves frogs? And is that famous
Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)
2026 is the year of the fire horse—a year that happens only once every 60 years. Across East Asia, it symbolizes transformation, intensity, and bold action. But in Japan? It's feared. Birth rates actually plummet during fire horse years because of a superstition that dates back to Edo-era Japan.
What does a cursed kimono that burned down 70% of a city have to do with this? And why was a young gi
Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)
What if the meal sitting in those beautiful lacquered boxes held messages from the gods?
In Japan, osechi-ryōri isn't just New Year's food—it's a sacred offering. Each dish carries specific wishes: black beans for health, herring roe for prosperity, lotus root for clear vision into the future. Families prepare them before midnight, then rest for three days while Toshigami-sama, the deity of the
Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered Goddesses, and Tsukimi (Ep. 183)
Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears.
In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through China and transformed along the way.
In this episode we explore Tsukimi moon-viewing traditions, the violent origin of the moon god Tsukuyomi, protective pompous g
Hōichi the Earless: A Lafcadio Hearn Reading (Ep. 182)
A blind musician is summoned to perform in the darkness. But who is listening? And what terrible price awaits a moment's oversight?
Today I read to you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous Japanese ghost stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōichi" or "The Earless Hōichi."
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What Empty Spaces Need (Audio Drama) (Ep. 181)
🎃 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃
This year's Halloween episode is a full-length audio drama based on the urban legend of Sukima-onna—the woman who watches from the gaps.
An American English teacher in Japan loses everything: his job, his apartment, his passport. Drunk and desperate during a snowstorm, he finds shelter in an abandoned house. But he's not alone. Something lives in the cracks, the spaces betw
Ame-onna - Rain Woman's Original Ghost Story (Ep. 180)
We're getting closer to Halloween. How about another ghost story?
Ame-onna, the rain woman - a haggard looking thing, soaked to the bone, wandering rainy nights. There's lore about her, rumors, theories... but she doesn't have her own ghost story. So I fixed that.
First, I'll tell you the fascinating history: from Toriyama Sekien's 18th century yokai art (where she secretly represented courtesan
Japan's Most Famous Ghost: My Retelling of Oiwa and the Yotsuya Kaidan (Ep. 179)
It's October. Time to pull a blanket around your shoulders, light a candle against the dark, and listen to a good old-fashioned ghost story.
There are many versions of the tragic tale of Japan's most famous ghost, Oiwa-san. But today, let me tell you my own retelling of her classic tale.
I told the story of Yotsuya Kaidan back in episode 42, but for this episode I rewrote the tale, telling it li
Sanshi: The Three Body-Parasite Problem (Ep. 178)
I finally got to go on a walk again after all the oppressive August heat. I live around rice fields, mostly. There are some houses, of course, along the main road, and then every so often, a knee-high stone tower or stele. These are called kōshintō.
What I found particularly intriguing was how these connect to some rather unsettling beliefs about spiritual parasites. According to the traditions
A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)
Japan's summer heat is inescapable, driving people to seek relief at the beach. But what if I told you there are supernatural dangers lurking along Japan's 14,125 islands that make rip currents seem harmless?
In this episode, I share what I discovered about two particularly deceptive coastal yōkai: the iso-onna (coastal woman) who drains visitors of their blood, and the terrifying nure-onna - par
Introducing Uncanny Japan
Uncanny Japan is a podcast about all the more obscure corners of old Japan, from strange superstitions, cultural curiosities, to creepy creatures. Here you can discover all the lesser known gems that author Thersa Matsuura digs up while doing research for her writing. Uncanny Japan is a uniquely soothing podcast brought to life by immersive sound design or relaxing binaural soundscapes (ocean wave
Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & Death (Ep. 176)
So, you've died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells.
What does Japanese Buddhism suggest happens after death? I found these traditional afterlife concepts fascinating - there's this whole intricate spiritual bureaucracy that kicks in once you die. I'm talking about a 49-day underworld journey, fearsome judgment ceremonies, and some surprisingl
Taira no Masakado: The First Samurai's Flying Head & Tokyo's Cursed Shrine (Ep. 175)
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering who Japan's first samurai was? And then maybe wondering if severed heads can actually fly? Well, that's exactly what I want to talk to you about today.
Today I'm going to tell you about the fierce, the legendary Taira no Masakado, who's been dubbed the first samurai. Was he a bad guy? Was he a good guy? And yeah, we'll get into airborne
Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse & Finding Peace with Uncertainty (Ep. 174)
It's very strange, but this ancient Japanese proverb "Saiō ga Uma" has been popping up in my thoughts a lot lately. I kept hearing it mentioned, so I thought I'd share what I discovered.
"Saiō ga Uma" means "the old man's horse" - it's a 2,000-year-old parable about a man whose good and bad fortunes are never what they first appear. His horse runs away, villagers say "how unlucky." But the old ma
Susanoo: Japan's Storm God - Chaos to Redemption (Ep. 173)
Ever wonder what happens when a Japanese god has serious anger management issues? This is the second episode in my Myth Tales series, and I want to share what I discovered about Susanoo, the storm deity whose story completely surprised me.
This isn't your typical heroic god story. Without giving too much away, let's just say his relationship with his sister (who happens to be the sun goddess) get
Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)
Don't let anyone tell you Japan has four distinct seasons. You'll hear that a lot. But it's not true. Japan actually has five seasons. Everyone forgets tsuyu, the rainy season, and all that entails.
In this episode, I explore Japan's most dreaded time of year - the humid, moldy, relentlessly gray weeks of tsuyu. From the architecture designed to combat moisture to the rain spirits that emerge dur
Tōdaiki: The Candlestick Demon & Tang Dynasty Diplomatic Horror (Ep. 171)
Think modern travel is stressful? At least you probably won't end up transformed into a living candlestick by dark magic.
I've always been fascinated by stories about people who leave home and never come back. But what I'm about to tell you is worse than just disappearing.
I'm sharing two incredible tales from Japan's most dangerous era of international travel. One involves a family's worst nigh
Lafcadio Hearn's "Readings from a Dream Book": Mystical Meditations on Consciousness (Ep. 170)
Sometimes we all need a little break from reality, and that's exactly what I'm offering in this deeply contemplative episode. Against the backdrop of soothing Pacific Ocean waves recorded on the Japanese coast, I read Lafcadio Hearn's complete mystical piece "Readings from a Dream Book."
This work from his collection "Shadowings" takes us into a dream realm where text appears and vanishes on phan
Ryūjin: Harnessing the Power of Japan's Undersea Dragon God (Ep. 169)
Let's journey down to the bottom of the ocean to an underwater dragon palace called the Ryugu, or sometimes Ryugu-jo, owned and lorded over by Ryujin, the dragon god. And while we're there, let's learn more about all the myth and lore surrounding him and how you can personally connect with the spirit of the dragon god if you want.
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Mt. Fuji: A Fire Resistant Princess and a Sword Licking Mystic (Ep. 168)
Mount Fuji isn't just Japan's tallest peak - it's home to some of the most extraordinary legends in Japanese folklore. In this episode, I tell you about two remarkable figures who shaped its mystical identity.
First, meet Konohanasakuya-hime, considered the most beautiful of all Shinto goddesses - so stunning that cherry blossoms were modeled after her appearance.
Then there's the legendary Enn
Kanto vs Kansai: How Japanese Regional Food Differs (Ep. 167)
In this episode I talk about one of my favorite topics, one of the things that makes Japan special to me. It still gets me excited after all these years, and that is food.
I absolutely love that wherever you go in Japan, there are local specialties. But there are also certain foods that are prepared completely differently depending on what area you're in. And I'll get into those too.
I start b
The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)
What happens when you think you know everything about Japan's most famous temple? I discovered I knew almost nothing at all about Kinkaku-ji. Its real name isn't even what most people call it – there's an interesting story behind that. It wasn't always the size you see today either. Plus, high school students visiting on school trips have been capturing some pretty extraordinary photos that sugges
Walking in Old Japan: The Historical Gokaidō Routes (Ep. 165)
In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a stroll along the walking routes of Old Edo. There were five main ones, called go-kaidō - the five Edo routes, or the five historical roads of Japan. All five started at the exact same point on the Nihonbashi Bridge in then-Edo, now Tōkyō. Today, let's learn specifically about the two longer ones that led travelers to the old capital of Kyōto, the Tōkaidō
Fudō Myō: The Unshakable Buddhist Deity and Sacred Fire Ceremonies (Ep. 164)
In this episode, I'll be telling you about someone I've had a crush on for the past couple years, Fudō Myō, and also about a very cool fire ceremony that will burn away all your worldly desires, ignorance, and purify you.
Meet Fudō Myō, the fierce Buddhist deity who burns away ignorance and worldly desires through Goma fire ceremonies.
Learn about the name meaning "the immovable or unshakable on
Bodhidharma and Daruma Dolls: Zen Buddhism Origins (Ep. 163)
In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a journey that involves supernatural balance, a touch of kung fu fighting, cringeworthy acts of concentration, a lucky toy that heals disease and helps you achieve your dreams, and will end delightfully in a moment of sheer, utter unadulterated and quite literal zen.
Let's start with a baby, a mysterious baby, born in southern India in the 5th or 6th cen
The Salt God and the Magic of Salt (Ep. 162)
During the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami, the water rose to the exact edge of Shiogama Shrine and retreated. At Japanese funerals, you're given salt to sprinkle on your shoulders before going home. Tiny salt pyramids guard shop entrances across Japan.
What connects these practices to a 2,000-year-old deity? Why does salt purify sumo rings, stop crematorium ghosts, and protect businesses? How did a warring
Turbo Granny: Japanese Urban Legend of the Highway Phantom (Ep. 161)
You're driving through a tunnel at 140 kilometers per hour when you hear knocking on the back window. You glance over your shoulder and see an old woman with long white hair running alongside your car, keeping perfect pace.
This is Tābō Baba—Turbo Granny. But she's not alone. There's Basketball Granny, Mikan Granny, Pogo Stick Granny, and Bonnet Granny too.
Why do these high-speed grandmothers h
Japanese Kanji Animal Names: Sea Pigs, Dirt Dragons & Poetic Language (Ep. 160)
In Japanese, some animals have names so creative they sound like fantasy creatures. Dirt dragons. Sea pigs. House protectors. Ocean moons.
Today I'm testing whether I can make you fall in love with kanji through a quiz about these poetic animal names. Some will surprise you. Some might make you laugh. And by the end, you'll have a fun fact to impress your Japanese friends with.
Grab a pen if you
Go-Away Monkey: Original Japanese Horror Story by Thersa Matsuura (Ep. 159)
A disease-ravaged town. A stranger with a captive monkey. One woman who refuses to become a monster.
When traveling performer Hanshiro arrives promising to grant wishes through his trained monkey Fukumimi, desperate townspeople see hope for the first time in years. But Okappa recognizes what others can't see: the cruel performance, the suffering animal, and her neighbors transforming into someth
Botan Dōrō: Lafcadio Hearn's Japanese Ghost Love Story (Ep. 158)
A young samurai loses a shuttlecock over a garden fence and finds something far more dangerous: a beautiful woman who leads him into her home, serves him wine, and dances for him. When he discovers she died months ago, he's already under her spell.
What happens when love refuses to recognize death? And why does this story remain lesser-known despite its place among Japan's most famous ghost tales
Japan's Three Great Ghost Stories: Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu (Ep. 157)
Japan's three great ghost stories feature the onryō (vengeful ghosts) of Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu. These tales have captivated audiences for centuries through ukiyo-e woodblock prints, kabuki theater, and modern horror films like The Ring and Ju-on.
In this episode, I read an article I originally wrote for Sotheby's, exploring how master artists like Tsukioka Yoshitoshi depicted these ghostly tal
Japanese Supernatural Trees: Bloodthirsty Kodama & Cursed Jubokko (Ep. 156)
Walk through a Japanese forest alone and feel that ancient presence watching you. Maybe it's kodama, the protective tree spirits that appear as ghostly lights. Or perhaps it's something more dangerous.
In this episode, Terrie explores Japan's supernatural trees—from the benevolent kodama spirits mentioned in the Kojiki to the bloodthirsty jubokko that feeds on human blood at ancient battlefields
Japanese Caterpillar Cult: The Tokoyo no Kami Uprising of 644 CE (Ep. 155)
In 644 CE, a man named Ōfube-no-Ō starts a new religion in Shizuoka Prefecture. His claim? A caterpillar living in mandarin orange trees is the god of eternal life. Worship it properly, and you'll gain riches and youth.
The movement spreads rapidly. Devotees throw their possessions by the roadside, shouting "New riches are coming." They create songs and dances for the bug. Shamans called kannagi
Moshi Moshi! You're About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)
Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway?
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by
The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)
The Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime is an epic story of love, betrayal, and transformation into a serpent dragon, but there are several versions of this classic.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Jap
Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)
The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking
Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)
Discover the intricacies of Japanese chopstick etiquette and lore. Learn about godly chopsticks, taboos that can bring death, and the concept of 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese culture. Avoid social faux pas and deepen your understanding of this seemingly simple yet complex utensil.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commissio
The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)
The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese F
Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)
Listeners who are sensitive to these topics should be aware that the episode contains potentially disturbing content: TRIGGER WARNINGS: Blood & gore depiction, Body horror, Childhood Trauma, Death from exposure, Death from falling, Death of a child, Death and dying, Decapitation, Fear and anxiety, Graphic content, Injury and mutilation, Loss of limb, Mayonnaise as a pizza topping, Mental distress
Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)
Have you ever had a premonition or a foreboding feeling that turned out to be true? Was it a parasitic insect living in your belly or a ghost trying to tell you something?
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including Th
Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)
If a you hear a tree fall in the woods, but can't find any sign of that fallen tree, is it the work of a tengu, a creepy dead guy ghost, or something else?
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japane
Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
Today I'll read you Lafcadio Hearn's short story: The Mirror Maiden.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast
Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)
The two-faced, eight-limbed giant named Ryomen Sukuna has been around since very early Japan, still is he a Buddhism-protecting hero or a cursed demon who tried to destroy Japan?
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books inclu
Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)
You'll often see ghostly-looking dolls strung up in windows in Japan on rainy days. What do they mean and why are they a little creepy?
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by click
Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
Abe no Seimei was the greatest onmyōji in Japan. While he lived in Kyoto, he visited Shizuoka at some point and performed some magic, giving us another nanafushigi (seven mysterious things).
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out he
Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real historical monks.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Carp-
The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
In Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all throughout Japanese culture-in tea ceremony, martial arts, acupuncture, herbalism, esoteric Buddhism, and even in cemeteries.
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Uncanny Japan is a
A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and you’re listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We just moved from the year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon and I want to tell you all about it.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is
Joya no Kane: Japanese Temple Bells Ring Out 108 Sins at New Year (Ep. 139)
What happens when 108 temple bell rings wash away a year's worth of sins?
Thersa has climbed the hill to her local Buddhist temple every New Year's Eve. The tradition is joya no kane—ringing out the old year's earthly desires with 108 ceremonial bell strikes. But why exactly 108?
This episode brings you into that midnight ritual through binaural recordings captured on New Year's Eve. You'll he
Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)
Shochikubai means "pine, bamboo, plum" and are considered the three winter friends. You'll find them in New Year decorations as well as another interesting and surprising place. I'll tell more on today's show. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Mats
A Delightful Dive into Meiji Era Yokai News (Ep. 137)
Today I’m going to do something a little different, again. I’m going to give you some real yōkai and paranormal news. Not current news, but stories that were actually published in newspapers during the late 1800s — and not in tabloids either, but in regular ol’ papers. And they are absolutely delightful to read.
[This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a
The Dreaded Northern Pillow (kitamakura) and Fan Death (Ep. 136)
Is sleeping with your head facing north a practice that'll bring you bad luck and invite death or is it good luck, welcoming a restful night's sleep and money? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast an
"The Other Side" A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story (Ep. 135)
"The Other Side" is a ghost story I wrote using some of the more common Japanese scary tropes. Put on some headphones and turn out the lights and let me tell you a story.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support
Creepy Haunted Tunnels in Japan (Ep. 134)
My guess is that Japan has more haunted tunnels than anywhere in the world. In this episode I talk about three of the creepiest and most well-known.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read t
Okiku: The Haunted Doll (Ep. 133)
The Okiku-chan doll is believed to contain the spirit of the little girl who once owned her. This is seen by her constantly, slow growing hair.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to yo
Myth Tales Vol. 1: Origin that Ends with Dragons (Ep. 132)
Myth Tales is an immersive retelling of Japan's creation myth.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please join our community forum! https://japanfo
Summer Festival Part 2: Games and Dancing (Ep. 131)
Part 2 of Summer Festival in Japan is about unique games and dancing.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please join our community forum! https://
Summer Festival: Outfits and the Eats (Ep. 130)
Come experience a small summer festival (Natsu Matsuri) with me. This is Part One: Outfits and Eats!
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please joi
"Concerning Tea"... a reading (Ep. 129)
Learn about the history of tea and the tea ceremony in Japan, its origins in Buddhist rituals, and its later development into an art form. Listen to stories about the famous tea masters Rikyu and the legendary monk Daruma.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon.
Raijū: The Thunder Beast (Ep. 128)
The raijū or thunder beast is smallish, very weird-looking creature that darts around during thunderstorms and wreaks havoc on the community. Here's what you need to know about it.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcas
Story Time: Yuki Onna (by Lafcadio Hearn) (Ep. 127)
I read Lafcadio Hearn's classic tale, "Yuki Onna" or "The Snow Woman."
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please join our community forum! https:
Dōsojin: Cuddly and Carnal Road Side Statues (Ep. 126)
Dōsojin are "road ancestor deities" from ancient times. They're different than ojizo or rakan statues. So what are they? What do they do? And which prefecture has the wildest festival to celebrate them?
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to h
Kitsune no Koban: Fox Money (Ep. 125)
Learn about Thersa Matsuura tells us about the fox’s coins, a children’s game based on finding seeds that look like gold coins.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please
Story Time: Rokurokubi by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 124)
In this episode I read Lafcadio Hearn's "Rokurokubi," the quintessential story about this creepy Japanese beastie.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreo
Black-Toothed Yōkai (Ep. 123)
A couple black-toothed yōkai and where to find them.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncan
Ohaguro: The Ultimate Beauty Hack of Ancient Japan (Ep. 122)
Discover the history of ohaguro, a traditional practice in Japan where people blacken their teeth. Dating back to the Yayoi era, Ohaguro was first practiced only by the aristocracy but eventually spread to other classes and ages.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on
Doom and Bloom: Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs (Ep. 121)
Bloom and Gloom or Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs or Sakura: The Wonderful and the Worrisome Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
Please join our commu
Akaname: The Thoroughly Gross Scum Licker (Ep. 120)
Today we're going to talk about a yokai I've always be quite fond of, a little fella called Akaname or the Scum Licker!
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit P
The Legend of Shippeitaro (Ep. 119)
Shippei Taro is both a folktale and a nanafushigi (strange occurance). I'll tell you all about this local legend as well as read you my translation of the famous story.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a
How to find and identify your own Yokai (Ep. 118)
Explore the parallel world or ikai, and how it is inhabited not just by ghosts or spirits but also by yokai.
Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
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