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Susanoo: Japan’s Storm God – Chaos to Redemption (Ep. 173)

It's time for another deep dive into myth tales - and I'm kind of intrigued with Amaterasu's brother, Susanoo, the god of storms and sea. He's an absolute nutter, and I love him. Join me as I explore his wonderfully chaotic mythology from cosmic tantrums to heroic dragon slaying.
Susano'o holding a sacred tree in a mountainous setting

Lafcadio Hearn’s “Readings from a Dream Book”: Mystical Meditations on Consciousness (Ep. 170)

In this episode, I share something we all might need right now - a little break from reality through this very dreamy and sometimes nightmarish Lafcadio Hearn piece "Readings from a Dream Book." Against soothing Pacific Ocean waves, I read this shockingly relevant meditation on consciousness, impermanence, and existence itself.
Skeletal figure in water with big wave 'Uncanny Japan Ep. 170' text

Myth Tales Vol. 1: Origin that Ends with Dragons (Ep. 132)

Myth Tales is an immersive retelling of Japan's creation myth
A painting of Izanagi, the Japanese god of creation, and Izanami, the Japanese goddess of death, standing together. Izanagi is holding a sword and Izanami is wearing a white robe.

Scary Story Time: “Go-Away Monkey” (Ep. 86)

For the spooky month of October, I'm reading my horror short story "Go-Away Monkey" from my collection The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales.
Art for Go-Away Monkey short story by Thersa Matsuura

Story Time: “Kaguya-hime: The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Princess” (Ep. 77)

Today I'll read to you, "The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Princess" called Kaguya Hime in Japanese. It's an old tale that some believe talks about otherworldly visitors. Was the Moon Princess an extraterrestrial being? 
The Bamboo Cutter and Kaguya-Hime - Princess Kaguya

Story Time: “The Dream of Akinosuke” by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 64)

"The Dream of Akinosuke" is Lafcadio Hearn's translation of a sweet Japanese (originally Chinese) folktale. In it you'll learn how insects can manipulate a person's soul.
The Dream of Akinosuke butterfly ukiyoe by Koson Ohara

Story Time – The Jellyfish Takes a Journey (plus eel and seppuku!) (Ep. 57)

Ever wonder why a jellyfish looks the way they do? Well, the Japanese folktale "The Jellyfish Takes a Journey" (Kurage no Honenashi) tells you how that came about. Then after that folktale, I'll give you a little trivia about the connection between eel and seppuku.
jellyfish drawing

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

Story Time: Cicada by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 38)

Listen to Lafcadio Hearn's whimsical take on the cicada (semi) while enjoying some real time cicada singing in the background.
cicada
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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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