Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language

Speculative fiction writer, long-term resident of Japan and Bram Stoker Award finalist Thersa Matsuura explores all that is weird from old Japan—strange superstitions, folktales, cultural oddities, and interesting language quirks. These are little treasures she digs up while doing research for her writing.

https://www.uncannyjapan.com/

Eine durchschnittliche Folge dieses Podcasts dauert 16m. Bisher sind 147 Folge(n) erschienen. Alle zwei Wochen gibt es eine neue Folge dieses Podcasts.

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 1 day 20 hours 1 minute

subscribe
share






episode 144: Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins


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...


share








   17m
 
 

episode 143: Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me


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...


share








   20m
 
 

episode 142: Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy


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...


share








 February 16, 2024  18m
 
 

episode 141: The All-powerful Five Elements and You


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.  [This description...


share








 January 31, 2024  19m
 
 

episode 140: A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024


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...


share








 January 16, 2024  13m
 
 

episode 139: Joya no Kane: Purify Yourself With This Episode


Joya no Kane is the Buddhism tradition of ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Where did it come from and what does it mean? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a...


share








 December 28, 2023  15m
 
 

episode 138: Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade


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...


share








 December 15, 2023  15m
 
 

episode 137: A Delightful Dive into Meiji Era Yokai News


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,...


share








 December 1, 2023  16m
 
 

episode 136: The Dreaded Northern Pillow (kitamakura) and Fan Death


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...


share








 November 15, 2023  20m
 
 

episode 135: "The Other Side" A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story


"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. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including by...


share








 October 31, 2023  27m