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 68: Enjoying the Luck of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin)
In Japan the Shichifukujin or Seven Lucky Gods appear in a boat on the first day of the year to impart various kinds of luck on those they deem worthy. Visit the to read . is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on...
episode 67: Year of the Ox: Save Us All
The year 2021 is the Year of the Ox according to the animal zodiac. But what does that mean? On today's show I'll talk a little about the character of people born in this year, what to expect in 2021, and why the ox -- who should have been the first...
episode 66: Toshikoshi Soba: Breaking Off the Pain of 2020 with Noodles
Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve. It's a custom that has continued since the 1700s. There are quite a few reasons why. Some have to do with long life, wealth, and breaking off all the hardships from...
episode 65: Baku: The Eater of Dreams
The baku (獏) is a Japanese mythical creature that, when invited, slips into your room at night to gobble up your nightmares. Visit the to read . is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd like to help...
episode 64: Story Time: "The Dream of Akinosuke" by Lafcadio Hearn
"The Dream of Akinosuke" is Lafcadio Hearn's translation of a sweet Japanese (originally Chinese) folktale. In it you'll learn how insects can manipulate a person's soul. Visit the to read . is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books...
episode 63: Shinrei Supotto: Freaky Haunted Areas in Japan
Let's visit some local haunted areas or shinrei supotto in Japanese. The Suicide Forest, a very haunted tunnel, and a Severed Head Grave are all in today's show. Visit the to read . is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books...
episode 62: Yuurei: Japanese Ghosts from Protective to Wrathful
Yuurei are Japanese ghosts and they come in quite a few varieties, from the protecting shugorei to the vengeful and very dangerous onryou. Visit the to read . is author . Her other shows are and . Check out her books including on Amazon. If you'd...
episode 61: Oiran: The Glamorous and Wretched Life of a High Courtesan
An oiran is not a geisha. Although at first glance they may look alike, one is a more reserved entertainer who is still in existence today. The other is a high courtesan, long disappeared, who wore flamboyant brightly-colored kimono and walked on 20...
episode 60: Kanreki: Your Auspicious Years, Yakudoushi: Your Calamitous Ones
Kanreki is the celebration of a 60th birthday. They'll don a red vest, called a chanchanko, a red billowy hat, called an e-boshi and be given a white fan to hold. Yakudoshi are the ages you're believed to be more susceptible to sickness, misfortune or...
episode 59: Koumare Ishi: Inexplicable Rocks That Predict the Deaths of Monks
Koumare Ishi is one of the nanafushigi or seven mysterious occurrences from my area. The belief is that a rock is born from the side of the mountain, and when it falls the head abbot of the nearby temple, Daitoku, dies. It's been going on for hundreds...