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. Dieser Podcast erscheint jede zweite Woche.

Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 1 day 20 hours 1 minute

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episode 55: Star-Crossed Lovers (Tanabata)


Tanabata is a Japanese festival based on the bizarre tale of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi. In episode 55, I'll tell you their story, explain a little about the origins and how it's celebrated today. Visit the to read . is author ....


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 June 30, 2020  16m
 
 

episode 56: Food Superstitions and Sayings


Why shouldn't you eat crab and watermelon together? What will happen if you don't eat all the rice in your bowl? Today I'll answer these and a whole lot more. Japanese food superstitions and sayings are quite interesting and sometimes funny. Visit the...


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 July 17, 2020  22m
 
 

episode 57: The Jellyfish Takes a Journey (plus eel and seppuku!)


Ever wonder why a jellyfish looks the way they do? Well, the Japanese folktale "The Jellyfish Takes a Journey" (Kurage no Honenashi) tells you how that came about. Then after that folktale, I'll give you a little trivia about the connection between...


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 July 29, 2020  17m
 
 

episode 58: Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead


Bon Odori or Bon Dancing is a summer tradition held all over Japan. It's a chance for families to get together and have an enjoyable time dancing to the rhythmical music. Seeing as how the Obon season is also when ancestors visit from beyond the...


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 August 17, 2020  20m
 
 

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...


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 September 1, 2020  15m
 
 

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...


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 September 15, 2020  16m
 
 

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...


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 October 1, 2020  15m
 
 

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...


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 October 15, 2020  22m
 
 

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...


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 November 1, 2020  21m
 
 

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...


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 November 16, 2020  21m