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Category: Japanese Ghosts & Spirits 

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.

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

Japan’s Most Famous Ghost: My Retelling of Oiwa and the Yotsuya Kaidan (Ep. 179)

There are many versions of the tragic tale of Japan's most famous ghost, Oiwa-san. But in this episode, let me tell you my own retelling of her classic tale. Just a heads up—it is a ghost story with a little body horror mixed in.
Illustration of a ghostly figure with a lantern, set against a vibrant background.

Botan Dōrō: Lafcadio Hearn’s Japanese Ghost Love Story (Ep. 158)

It's almost Halloween, and I promised to read Lafcadio Hearn's Botan Dōrō, or the Peony Lantern. Of the Three Great Ghost Stories, the one about Otsuyu is the lesser known—not because it's a lesser story, but because it involves a little necrophilia, or ghostophilia, I suppose.
An illustration featuring a skeleton alongside two women in traditional Japanese clothing, one holding a lantern, with peony flowers in the foreground and a river scene in the background. The title 'Botan Doro - Ep 157 The Peony Lantern' is displayed in red above.

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

Today I'm going to read you an article I wrote for Sotheby's about the Nihon Sandai Kaidan, or Japan's three great ghost stories. And those stories are about the three lovely ladies, Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu. Let me tell you about not just these ghostly, vengeful spirits, but about the artists who depicted them as well.
Drawings of the three great female ghosts of japan, okiku, otsuyu, and oiwa

“The Other Side” A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story (Ep. 135)

"The Other Side" is a ghost story I wrote using some of the more common Japanese scary tropes. Put on some headphones and turn out the lights and let me tell you a story.
Dimly lit brick tunnel with arched ceiling and a series of lights leading into the distance.

Yuurei: Japanese Ghosts from Protective to Wrathful (Ep. 62)

Yuurei are Japanese ghosts and they come in quite a few varieties, from the protecting shugorei to the vengeful and very dangerous onryou.

Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead (Ep. 58)

Bon Odori or Bon Dancing is a summer tradition held all over Japan. It's a chance for families to get together and have an enjoyable time dancing to the rhythmical music. Seeing as how the Obon season is also when ancestors visit from beyond the grave, they, too, can take part in the festivities if they wish.
Bon Dancing

Yotsuya Kaidan (The Ghost of Oiwa) Story Time (Ep. 42)

In this episode I'm going to tell you a spooky tale called Yotsuya Kaidan, the story of Oiwa and her sad and vengeful ghost. This is one of the greatest Japanese ghost stories. Remember I told you about Okiku and the Nine Plates back in Episode 25. Today’s ghost, Oiwa, is as well-known as our poor Okiku.
The Ghost of Oiwa
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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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