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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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Sengoku Daimyo's Chronicles of Japan is a Japanese history podcast where we will be going through a chronological history of Japan. We will start with prehistory and continue up through the Meiji period. Episodes are released as soon as they are available--working on a monthly release schedule.
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Helping you better understand Japan and the Japanese language one question at a time. Every episode Tony and Ryan--two guys with master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics--draw on their experiences in Japan and extensive research in both Japanese and English to shed light on all aspects of Japan. From the many interesting quirks of the Japanese language to obscure Japanese history, as well as busting misconceptions about Japan held by both Japanese peole and Westerners, Tony and Ry ...
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Ad-free versions of episodes are available to Patrons. Thank you for your support and helping us pay for rent and recent hospital bills. We couldn't do this without you! --Rich, the sound guy. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, Thersa Matsuura explores the culinary rivalry between Kanto (Tokyo region) and Kansai (Osaka/Kyoto area). Discover the fasc…
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This episode we continue to follow the monk Xuanzang on his path along the silk road. From Gaochang, he traveled through the Tarim Basin, up over the Tianshan Mountains, to the heart of the Western Gokturk Qaghanate. From there, he traveled south, through the region of Transoxania to Bactria and the land of Tukhara. He pushed on into the Hindu Kush…
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* Ad-free versions of episodes are available to Patrons. Thank you for your support and helping us pay for rent and recent hospital bills. We couldn't do this without you! --Rich, the sound guy. Join Terrie on a trip to Kyoto's iconic Golden Pavilion and uncover its lesser-known stories: its real name isn't Kinkaku-ji, it survived multiple lightnin…
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This episode we kick off a series of episodes following the famous monk Xuanzang, aka the Tripitaka Master of the Law, Sanzang Fashi. Known in Japanese as Genjo, and founder of the Faxiang school of Yogacara Buddhism, also known as the Hosso school, it was brought back to the archipelago by students who studied with the master at his temple north o…
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Take a journey through the historical walking routes of old Edo Japan, focusing on the Gokaido (Five Edo Routes). Learn about the political significance of these routes and their role in maintaining peace during the Tokugawa shogunate's 250-year reign. Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration from our friends at Explore Worldwide. Don’t Just Tra…
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This episode we are taking a trip down the Silk Road--or perhaps even the Spice Road--as we investigate references in this reign to individuals from "Tukara" who seem to have arrived in Yamato and stayed for a while. For photos and more, see our podcast webpage: https://sengokudaimyo.com/podcast/episode-119 Rough Transcript Welcome to Sengoku Daimy…
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Though it may not seem like it on first glance, across Asuka there are various remnants of a much grander period. Postholes tell the story of palaces built over and over on the same spots. In addition, there are the various temples and various carved stone statues and other features. This episode we'll talk about some of the stonework and palace co…
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Meet Fudomyō, the fierce-looking but benevolent Buddhist deity who, despite his intimidating appearance with wild eyes and fangs, exists to help humanity. Learn about this Wisdom King's symbolic elements and the powerful Goma fire ceremony where his purifying flames burn away worldly desires and suffering. Click here for Adventure Travel inspiratio…
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Listen to the story of Bodhidharma, the blue-eyed monk who brought Zen to China, and his legendary feats - from crossing rivers on reeds to meditating until his legs fell off. Learn how his teachings evolved into modern Zen practices, and get practical guidance for starting your own meditation practice. Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration f…
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Happy New Year! This is our 2025 recap episode. In this case, we actually are recapping a fair bit more than just the year, going over the previous evolution of the Yamato state up to the period of the Great Change, or Taika, which we covered this past year. There's a lot more that we expect to get into this next year, and this will hopefully tee u…
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Did you know there is a Shinto kami (god or spirit) of salt? [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 link. If …
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This is the second of two episodes talking about the people in the north of the Japanese archipelago: The Emishi and the Mishihase. Last episode we covered things from an archaeological overview, looking at the traces of the Epi-Jomon, Satsumon, and Okhotsk Sea cultures. This episode focuses more on what was actually written in the Nihon Shoki, inc…
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Turbo Granny is a Japanese urban legend about a fleet-footed old woman, but did you know she has friends? [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…
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This is the first in a two part series on the people living to the Northeast of Yamato, in the areas of Tohoku and Hokkaido. They are called in the Chronicles, the Emishi and the Mishihase, and these designations appear to refer to areas that include the Epi-Jomon and later Satsumon cultures as well as members of the Okhotsk Sea Culture, all archae…
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Sea Pigs and Dirt Dragons — Enticing Language and a Quiz! [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 link. If you…
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This episode we go back to the continent for a bit to see how things are going. Hint: not well. While Yamato was building its new bureaucratic state, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla were battling it out while the Tang empire and their ambitions loomed over them all. Yamato is about to get pulled into the conflicts, but before that, let's look at what w…
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This episode we look at the Hakuchi era. Specifically, the implementation of something called the "Equal Fields" system, which seems to be what the court was trying to implement in some of their early Ritsuryo edicts. And then we'll see why this era is the "Asuka" period and not the "Naniwa" period, despite the grand temple to government erected in…
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