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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.
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Listen in as speculative fiction writer and Bram Stoker Award Finalist and Clarion West 2015 Graduate Thersa Matsuura reads and shares some great tales. Each episode aims to showcase the most immersive storytelling with both classics and Thersa's own writing accompanied by high quality soundscapes created for hours of relaxation. Also check out her other podcast, Uncanny Japan for Japanese folklore, folktales, cultural tidbits and superstitions!
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Humorous and surreal short stories and audio dramas read and performed by humans. || Multi Dimension Independent Film Festival "Best Podcast Stories" Winner Written and performed by Bram Stoker Award Finalist and Clarion West 2015 Graduate Thersa Matsuura and audio engineer Rich Pav.
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The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)
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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…
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Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)
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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…
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Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)
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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…
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Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)
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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. …
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Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
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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…
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Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)
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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…
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Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)
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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 …
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Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
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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…
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Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
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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…
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The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
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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 contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no…
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A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)
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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 description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at …
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Joya no Kane: Purify Yourself With This Episode (Ep. 139)
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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 commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows…
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Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)
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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 affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional c…
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