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Category: Japanese Folklore 

A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties: Iso Onna, Nure Onna, Nure Onago (Ep. 177)

The summer heat in Japan is shattering and inescapable. Why not go to the beach to cool off? I'll tell you why not. Because there's something lurking on the coasts that is far more dangerous than any rip current.
Spectral figure with devil mask against a sunset backdrop

Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & Death (Ep. 176)

So, you've died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells. In this episode, I explore the complex afterlife journey awaiting in Japanese Buddhist tradition.
King of Hell Enma Daio with crown and armor in flames

Tōdaiki: The Candlestick Demon & Tang Dynasty Diplomatic Horror (Ep. 171)

What happens when diplomatic missions go terrifyingly wrong? I'll tell you two fascinating tales of Japanese envoys to Tang Dynasty China - one horrific transformation, and one clever magical triumph. Both reveal the incredible risks of ancient cultural exchanges.
Demon with candlestick head in Japanese setting

Ryūjin: Harnessing the Power of Japan’s Undersea Dragon God (Ep. 169)

Come and walk with me along a beach. Let's journey together, down to the bottom of the ocean to an underwater dragon palace called the Ryugu, owned and lorded over by Ryūjin, the dragon god.
Close-up of Ryūjin, the Japanese dragon god, with striking red eyes and intricate scales.

Mt. Fuji: A Fire Resistant Princess and a Sword Licking Mystic (Ep. 168)

In this episode, I share the legend of Princess Konohanasakuya-hime and how Mount Fuji got its name, plus a story about a mystic who had a very strange way of testing swords.
Mount Fuji with a old fashioned tanuki in a Japanese-inspired design

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.
A digital illustration of a fantastical forest scene featuring a large, gnarled tree with green and white foliage. There are skulls and hints of blood on the tree trunk, and a dilapidated house is partially visible in the background. The text 'Yōkai Trees' is prominently displayed in orange at the top.

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.

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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