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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

The Sickle Weasel: Kamaitachi (Ep. 105)

What do you know about the yōkai, the sickle weasel or kamaitachi? Imagine an adorable little weasel sporting obnoxiously long blades on its paws. It appears out of nowhere so suddenly you don’t even realize its attacked you, until later when you notice you’ve got a deep cut that strangely isn’t bleeding and doesn’t hurt. 
Kamaitachi Sickle Weasel AI art. A small humanoid animal wielding a large curved blade with an intense, fiery background.

Another Chilling Children’s Song – Tōryanse (Ep. 104)

Do you remember when I talked about "Kagome Kagome"? A Japanese children's song that had curiously unnerving lyrics. Guess what. That's not the only goosebump-raising children's song in Japan. There's another. Well, at least one more. Today I'm going to tell you about "Toryanse". Like "Kagome Kagome", even Japanese people get a very off vibe from the lyrics.
Japanese Children Playing Games at Sunset

Final Listeners’ True Spooky Tales – Weeping, Drowning, and Big Wall Blocking (Ep. 103)

For the last Listeners' True Creepy Tales we're going outside again. Weeping women, grabbing hands, and great big walls that block your path.
Many ghostly hands coming up out of ocean

Listeners’ Absolutely True Japanese Ghost Stories Part 2 (Ep. 101)

More listeners' true Japanese ghost stories as well as one of my most terrifying experiences. This is part two of a three part series.
Japanese ghost in room with child ai

Listeners’ Absolutely True Ghost Stories: Haunted Houses (Ep. 100)

To commemorate our 100th episode, we're sharing listeners' true ghost stories they've experienced while visiting or living in Japan.
Ai generated Haunted Japanese Room

The Cat Grave, The Rat Grave: Nekozuka, Nezumizuka (Ep. 99)

Today I'll talk about a local legend: Nekozuka and Nezumizuka, the Cat's Grave and the Rat's Grave.
Nekozuka The Cat Grave
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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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