Uncanny Japan logo

Category: Japanese History 

Sanshi: The Three Body-Parasite Problem (Ep. 178)

You're not gonna believe this, but you have not one, not two, but three worms or parasites writhing around in your body right now, actively trying to kill you, but not in the way you think.
Mystical creatures and a floating figure in a colorful, surreal scene.

A Cursed Severed Head: Taira no Masakado (Ep. 175)

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering who the first samurai was? Today I'm going to tell you about the fierce, legendary Taira no Masakado—and yes, we'll get into flying severed heads and curses too.
Illustration of Taira no Masakado with bold features and red accents

Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man’s Horse (Ep. 174)

In this episode, I explore the ancient Chinese parable that became a Japanese proverb: "Saiō ga Uma" (塞翁が馬) - the story of an old man whose horse's disappearance leads to an unexpected chain of fortune and misfortune. It's very strange, but recently it's been popping up in my thoughts a lot, so I thought I'd share this 2,000-year-old tale.
Mythical horse with green hair in a Japanese setting

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

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

The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)

In this episode, I'll be taking you on a journey to visit the Golden Pavilion, Kinkaku-ji. I'll tell you about its real name, lightning strikes, arson attack, and some pretty weird monk spirits that show up in photos.
Golden Pavilion reflecting in a pond

Walking in Old Japan: The Gokaidō Historical Routes (Ep. 165)

In this episode, I'll be taking you on a stroll along the walking routes of Old Edo. There were five main ones, called go-kaidō - the five Edo routes, or the five historical roads of Japan. All five started at the exact same point on the Nihonbashi Bridge in then-Edo, now Tōkyō. Today, let's learn specifically about the two longer ones that led travelers to the old capital of Kyōto, the Tōkaidō and the Nakasendō.
Uncanny Japan logo with a traveler carrying a his wares.

Bodhidharma Zazen (Ep. 163)

Learn about an ancient blue-eyed Buddhist monk, modern Zen meditation, legendary tales, supernatural feats, and tips for beginning your own meditation practice.
1 2 3 4

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.

© Copyright 2025 Uncanny Productions
Buy Me a Coffee at Ko-Fi