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.
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Moshi Moshi! You're About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)
16:13
16:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:13
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 b…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)
17:25
17:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:25
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…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)
14:10
14:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:10
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 inc…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ohashi: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)
19:38
19:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:38
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 li…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)
16:02
16:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:02
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. Chec…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)
19:44
19:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:44
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 lim…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)
14:30
14:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:30
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 T…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)
12:28
12:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
12:28
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. …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
16:22
16:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:22
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 l…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)
22:45
22:45
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
22:45
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 a…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)
17:12
17:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:12
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 …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
20:30
20:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:30
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.] Uncann…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
18:43
18:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:43
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 Ma…
…
continue reading