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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

Tsukimono: Possessed by an Animal (Ep. 187)

Remember that nice trip to Japan, where you visited that out of the way shrine, the one you just stumbled across while hiking. You and your partner got some great photos of the two stone foxes, cracked and covered in moss. And then back at the hotel, your partner began acting funny. Scratching behind their […]

Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan’s Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)

What do you say we learn about a frog-riding, vengeful witch and a giant skeleton that wants to pop off your head with its teeth and drink your blood? Two different legends, but somehow connected. In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime and the terrifying Gashadokuro.

Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)

The year of the fire horse brings bold change and transformation. But in Japan, it's feared. A tragic story from 1666 about a young girl named Oshichi, burned at the stake during a fire horse year, created a superstition that haunts families today.

Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions

Let's talk about food and folklore and so many New Year traditions. One of the most interesting to me when I first came to Japan and experienced Oshōgatsu with my in-laws is osechi-ryōri. This special, beautiful, and symbolic New Year cuisine is served in beautiful lacquered boxes called jūbako.

Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered Goddesses, and Tsukimi (Ep. 183)

There's a rabbit on the moon. Its image was placed there by the gods for all creatures to remember the bunny's act of courage and sacrifice. Today let's talk about all kinds of moon related myths and lore, superstitions and beautiful words and phrases.

Hōichi the Earless: A Lafcadio Hearn Reading (Ep. 182)

Today I read to you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōïchi" or "The Earless Hōïchi." Why did the blind monk Hōïchi lose both ears in such a horrific fashion? It's a tale of ghost samurai, Buddhist sutras, and a terrible price paid for a moment's oversight.

Sukima-onna: The Women in the Gaps — “What Empty Spaces Need” — A Skit! (Ep. 181)

A full-length audio drama about Tim, an American expat trapped in an abandoned Japanese house, stalked by Sukima-onna—the woman who watches from gaps.

Ame-onna – Rain Woman’s Original Ghost Story (Ep. 180)

In this Halloween special episode, I explore the rain woman yokai's evolution from Toriyama Sekien's courtesan metaphor to a grief-stricken mother searching for her stolen child. Then I share my original story "Rain for Days" - because Ame-onna never had her own ghost story until now.
Uncanny Japan episode featuring Ame Onna, the Rain Woman ghost story
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About The Uncanny Japan Podcast

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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