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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

Japan’s Three Great Ghost Stories (Ep. 157)

Japan’s 3 Great Ghost Stories, featuring vengeful female spirits, have captivated audiences for centuries through art from ukiyo-e prints to modern horror films.
Drawings of the three great female ghosts of japan, okiku, otsuyu, and oiwa

Supernatural Trees Part 1: Bloodthirsty and Cursed (Ep. 156)

Japanese folklore features various tree spirits, like Kodama protectors and Jubokko bloodsuckers, with camellias shifting from auspicious to ominous.

Moshi Moshi! You’re About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)

Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway?
A person with glowing eyes and horns, wearing a dark outfit, stands on a quiet street with old buildings and dim lights at dusk.

The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)

The Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime is an epic story of love, betrayal, and transforming into serpent dragons. But there are several versions of this classic.
Japanese folklore painting depicting Kiyohime myth: woman transformed into green serpent coiled around golden temple bell, hiding monk Anchin inside. Traditional brushwork on aged paper shows wooden temple pillars, capturing dramatic moment from classic legend of unrequited love and revenge.

Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)

The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them.
A person is painting a whimsical scene with a brush on a sheet of paper. The illustration includes a shark, tentacles, and a character standing on a rock.

Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)

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.
Hands holding and stretching mochi over a decorative plate placed on a sketchbook with pen drawings of people and food.

The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)

The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls.
Women in kimono shooting webs from her six spider arms. Baby spiders attached!
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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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