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Japanese Myths, Folktales, Folklore and Language

Episodes

Story Time: “Go-Away Monkey” (Ep. 159)

Okappa, a young woman living in a town ravaged by disease, encounters a traveling performer, Hanshiro, and his monkey, Fukumimi.
monkey wearing kimono wearing chain on ankle, large tengu mask

Botan Dōrō: Lafcadio Hearn’s Japanese Ghost Love Story (Ep. 158)

It's almost Halloween, and I promised to read Lafcadio Hearn's Botan Dōrō, or the Peony Lantern. Of the Three Great Ghost Stories, the one about Otsuyu is the lesser known—not because it's a lesser story, but because it involves a little necrophilia, or ghostophilia, I suppose.
An illustration featuring a skeleton alongside two women in traditional Japanese clothing, one holding a lantern, with peony flowers in the foreground and a river scene in the background. The title 'Botan Doro - Ep 157 The Peony Lantern' is displayed in red above.

Japan’s Three Great Ghost Stories (Ep. 157)

Today I'm going to read you an article I wrote for Sotheby's about the Nihon Sandai Kaidan, or Japan's three great ghost stories. And those stories are about the three lovely ladies, Okiku, Oiwa, and Otsuyu. Let me tell you about not just these ghostly, vengeful spirits, but about the artists who depicted them as well.
Drawings of the three great female ghosts of japan, okiku, otsuyu, and oiwa

Japanese Supernatural Trees: Bloodthirsty Kodama & Cursed Jubokko (Ep. 156)

Trees. We all love trees. Let's look into the supernatural ones, the potentially deadly kind. Have you ever found yourself out walking in a forest and you're completely alone, but you don't feel that way? Maybe something is there observing you.
A digital illustration of a fantastical forest scene featuring a large, gnarled tree with green and white foliage. There are skulls and hints of blood on the tree trunk, and a dilapidated house is partially visible in the background. The text 'Yōkai Trees' is prominently displayed in orange at the top.

A Skit and a Strange Caterpillar Cult: Tokoyo no Kami (Ep. 155)

An old timey audio drama skit/book promo and the strange caterpillar cult called Tokoyo no Kami.
Illustration of a caterpillar with a golden halo on a leaf, superimposed over a background of a Japanese shrine entrance with stone pillars and a traditional roof.

Moshi Moshi! You’re About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)

Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway?
A person with glowing eyes and horns, wearing a dark outfit, stands on a quiet street with old buildings and dim lights at dusk.

The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)

The Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime is an epic story of love, betrayal, and transforming into serpent dragons. But there are several versions of this classic.
Japanese folklore painting depicting Kiyohime myth: woman transformed into green serpent coiled around golden temple bell, hiding monk Anchin inside. Traditional brushwork on aged paper shows wooden temple pillars, capturing dramatic moment from classic legend of unrequited love and revenge.

Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)

The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them.
A person is painting a whimsical scene with a brush on a sheet of paper. The illustration includes a shark, tentacles, and a character standing on a rock.
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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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