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Category: Japanese History 

Tōdaiki: The Truly Horrific Tale of the Candlestick Demon (Ep. 171)

Two tales of travel that went awry. The first is the gruesome story of "Tōdaik" ("The Candlestick Demon") and the second a sillier legend of "Minister Kibi's Adventures in China".
A promotional image for the podcast 'Uncanny Japan' Episode 171, featuring a cartoon demon character on the left and a stylized figure resembling a candlestick spirit on the right, with a blurred background of a traditional Japanese room.

The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)

Learn the history of Kyoto's Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), from its origins as a villa to its multiple destructions and rebuilds. Hear about its architectural features, the tragic 1950 arson, and peculiar ghost stories involving monks in loincloths captured in visitors' photographs.
A promotional image featuring the Golden Pavilion, set against a scenic backdrop with mountains and a lake, with bold text that says 'Explore! Small Group Adventures Ep. 166'.

Walking in Old Japan (Ep. 165)

Explore the world of old Japan's walking routes, from the bustling Tokaido to the mountainous Nakasendo, and discover how these historical highways shaped Japanese society during the Edo period.
A graphic featuring a traditional Japanese pagoda with a sunset background, an illustration of a traveler carrying goods, and the text 'Explore! Small Group Adventures' along with 'Walking Routes in Old Japan, Ep. 165.' A map of Japan with marked routes is also included.

Bodhidharma Zazen (Ep. 163)

Zen: from Baby to How to Meditate Hey hey, my name is Thersa Matsuura, author of The Book of Japanese Folklore  and podcaster here at Uncanny Japan, my little space where I tell you about the more obscure nooks and crannies of Japanese culture. Today’s show is part of a really fun mini-series that has […]

Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)

You'll often see ghostly-looking dolls strung up in windows in Japan on rainy days. What do they mean and why are they a little creepy?
Hand-drawn watercolor illustration of Teru Teru Bozu, traditional Japanese weather doll, hanging outside a window with a scenic view of a tree and house facade, showcasing Japanese culture and art.

Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)

Abe no Seimei was the greatest onmyōji in Japan. While he lived in Kyoto, he visited Shizuoka at some point and performed some magic, giving us another nanafushigi (seven mysterious things).
A disembodied hand begins to draw Abe No Seimei.

Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)

A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real historical monks.
Sketch of a Nami Kozo with waves, artist's hand drawing.

The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)

In Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all throughout Japanese culture-in tea ceremony, martial arts, acupuncture, herbalism, esoteric Buddhism, and even in cemeteries.
Handwriting calligraphy with black ink on white paper.
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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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