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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)

Discover the intricacies of Japanese chopstick etiquette and lore. Learn about godly chopsticks, taboos that can bring death, and the concept of 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese culture. Avoid social faux pas and deepen your understanding of this seemingly simple yet complex utensil.
Hands holding and stretching mochi over a decorative plate placed on a sketchbook with pen drawings of people and food.

The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)

The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls.
Women in kimono shooting webs from her six spider arms. Baby spiders attached!

Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)

If you're ever walking alone on an empty street or path at night and you hear something distinctly not human following you, could it be the Beto Beto-san or the Teke Teke? One will take your life in the most horrendous way.
A watercolor illustration of a staircase in a forest with trees on both sides. A whimsical character with a large round head, big smiling mouth, and human-like legs is depicted climbing the stairs. The character is wearing traditional wooden sandals. Two hands are visible in the foreground, one holding a paintbrush and the other a paper towel. Japanese characters are written on the right side of the painting.

Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)

Have you ever had a premonition or a foreboding feeling that turned out to be true? Was it a parasitic insect living in your belly or a ghost trying to tell you something?
Illustration of a traditional East Asian scholar holding a scroll, flanked by mythical creatures in a forest setting.

Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?(Ep. 147)

If a you hear a tree fall in the woods, but can't find any sign of that fallen tree, is it the work of a tengu, a creepy dead guy ghost, or something else?
A furusoma, dead woodcutter, with tengu looking on

Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)

The two-faced, eight-limbed giant named Ryomen Sukuna has been around since very early Japan, still is he a Buddhism-protecting hero or a cursed demon who tried to destroy Japan?
Drawing of a two-faced creature with long hair sitting in a circle, with Chinese characters on the left and right sides.

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.
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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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