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/
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 1 day 20 hours 40 minutes
episode 126: Dōsojin: Cuddly and Carnal Road Side Statues
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? is author . Her other shows are and ....
episode 125: Kitsune no Koban: Fox Money
Learn about Thersa Matsuura tells us about the fox’s coins, a children’s game based on finding seeds that look like gold coins. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the...
episode 124: Story Time: Rokurokubi by Lafcadio Hearn
In this episode I read Lafcadio Hearn's "Rokurokubi," the quintessential story about this creepy Japanese beastie. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a...
episode 123: Black-Toothed Yōkai
A couple black-toothed yōkai and where to find them. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit . Please...
episode 122: Ohaguro: The Ultimate Beauty Hack of Ancient Japan
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. is author ....
episode 121: Doom and Bloom: Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs
Bloom and Gloom or Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs or Sakura: The Wonderful and the Worrisome is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you...
episode 120: Akaname: The Thoroughly Gross Scum Licker
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! is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and...
episode 119: The Legend of Shippeitaro
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. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon....
episode 118: How to find and identify your own Yokai
Explore the parallel world or ikai, and how it is inhabited not just by ghosts or spirits but also by yokai. is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a...
episode 117: Ushi Oni: The Bloodthirsty Cow Demon
The Ushi Oni is a Japanese legend of an ox-headed demon/ogre. It has different appearances but is often depicted as a giant spider with ox head, soft body and red horns. They are commonly found near water bodies like oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls...