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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

The Human-Faced Tumor: Jinmensou (Ep. 95)

On today's episode I'm going to tell you about an affliction that involved a strange growth on some part of your body that had the face of a human and did horrible things.
Jinmensou human-faced tumor

Story Time: Tango no Hitobashira / The Human Pillar of Tango (Ep. 94)

Today I'm going to tell you a story called Tango no Hitobashira / The Human Pillar of Tango. It's an old folktale that I haven't found translated into English.
Hitobashira / Human Pillar

The Ferocious Oni (Ep. 93)

Japanese oni are a very deep and varied subject. Learn about these mountain-dwelling ogres and what they do.

#Uncannytober: Oct 3

A blue, muscular creature with horns and a fierce expression sits on the ground, adorned with golden wristbands. Its body is heavily outlined and textured, showcasing exaggerated features like a large belly and sharp claws. The background is a muted beige with faint, swirling patterns.

Chindon-ya: Eccentric Street Musicians (Ep. 92)

Who are these eccentric street musicians dressed in bright kimono playing drums, bells, clarinet, and saxophone marching down your street? What do they want?
Chindon-ya Boy

Good Luck Superstitions in Japan (Ep. 91)

It's been a rough couple of years, so today let's talk about some Japanese good luck superstitions.
Snake skin

Mayoiga: The Mysterious House You Find When You’re Lost (Ep. 90)

A mayoiga is a house that magically appears when you're lost in the forest or mountains. If you venture in, what will you find? What should you do?
Mayoiga Folktale

Sakuragaike: A Tortured Snake-Dragon Loses it Scales, Pt 2 (Ep. 89)

Today I'll tell you part 2 of the Sakuragaike Legend (and nanafushigi!). What was waiting at the bottom of the lake? Why was the snake-dragon suffering and how did his old follower help him?

Sakuragaike: A Snake-Dragon Coiled and Waiting, Part 1 (Ep. 88)

The story goes that a large snake-dragon lives at the bottom of Sakuragaike Lake. It's waiting. But where did this snake-dragon come from, and who is it waiting for?
Sakuragaike
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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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