Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language
225 episodes - English - Latest episode: 13 days ago - ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsSpeculative 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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Episodes
Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
April 17, 2024 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBToday I'll read you Lafcadio Hearn's short story: The Mirror Maiden. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Discord: https://discor...
Ryomen Sukuna: Awesome Saint or Japan-Destroying Demon? (Ep. 145)
March 30, 2024 00:00 - 22 minutes - 21.2 MBThe 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? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help supp...
Teru Teru Bōzu: Cute, Magical, Unsettling Origins (Ep. 144)
March 15, 2024 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBYou'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? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story re...
Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
February 29, 2024 07:14 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBAbe no Seimei was the greatest onmyōji in Japan. While he lived in Kyoto, he visited Shizuoka at some point and performed some magic, giving us another nanafushigi (seven mysterious things). [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help su...
Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
February 16, 2024 00:00 - 18 minutes - 26.1 MBA nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real historical monks. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have ...
The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
January 31, 2024 00:00 - 19 minutes - 18.7 MBIn Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all throughout Japanese culture-in tea ceremony, martial arts, acupuncture, herbalism, esoteric Buddhism, and even in cemeteries. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon ...
A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)
January 16, 2024 00:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBAkemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and you’re listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We just moved from the year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon and I want to tell you all about it. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amaz...
Joya no Kane: Purify Yourself With This Episode (Ep. 139)
December 28, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBJoya no Kane is the Buddhism tradition of ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Where did it come from and what does it mean? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon link. ...
Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)
December 15, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBShochikubai means "pine, bamboo, plum" and are considered the three winter friends. You'll find them in New Year decorations as well as another interesting and surprising place. I'll tell more on today's show. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out h...
A Delightful Dive into Meiji Era Yokai News (Ep. 137)
December 01, 2023 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBToday I’m going to do something a little different, again. I’m going to give you some real yōkai and paranormal news. Not current news, but stories that were actually published in newspapers during the late 1800s — and not in tabloids either, but in regular ol’ papers. And they are absolutely delightful to read. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author T...
The Dreaded Northern Pillow (kitamakura) and Fan Death (Ep. 136)
November 15, 2023 00:00 - 20 minutes - 19.2 MBIs sleeping with your head facing north a practice that'll bring you bad luck and invite death or is it good luck, welcoming a restful night's sleep and money? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking ...
"The Other Side" A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story (Ep. 135)
October 31, 2023 01:08 - 27 minutes - 25.8 MB"The Other Side" is a ghost story I wrote using some of the more common Japanese scary tropes. Put on some headphones and turn out the lights and let me tell you a story. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy by clicking on the Amazon link. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Discord: htt...
Creepy Haunted Tunnels in Japan (Ep. 134)
October 17, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 18.4 MBMy guess is that Japan has more haunted tunnels than anywhere in the world. In this episode I talk about three of the creepiest and most well-known. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website...
Okiku: The Haunted Doll (Ep. 133)
September 30, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBThe Okiku-chan doll is believed to contain the spirit of the little girl who once owned her. This is seen by her constantly, slow growing hair. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny....
Myth Tales Vol. 1: Origin that Ends with Dragons (Ep. 132)
September 15, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MBMyth Tales is an immersive retelling of Japan's creation myth. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://w...
Summer Festival Part 2: Games and Dancing (Ep. 131)
August 31, 2023 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBPart 2 of Summer Festival in Japan is about unique games and dancing. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: ht...
Summer Festival: Outfits and the Eats (Ep. 130)
August 17, 2023 00:16 - 19 minutes - 18.5 MBCome experience a small summer festival (Natsu Matsuri) with me. This is Part One: Outfits and Eats! Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon....
"Concerning Tea"... a reading (Ep. 129)
July 31, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBLearn about the history of tea and the tea ceremony in Japan, its origins in Buddhist rituals, and its later development into an art form. Listen to stories about the famous tea masters Rikyu and the legendary monk Daruma. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please...
Raijū: The Thunder Beast (Ep. 128)
July 16, 2023 00:00 - 14 minutes - 14 MBThe raijū or thunder beast is smallish, very weird-looking creature that darts around during thunderstorms and wreaks havoc on the community. Here's what you need to know about it. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our communi...
Story Time: Yuki Onna (by Lafcadio Hearn) (Ep. 127)
June 30, 2023 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.8 MBI read Lafcadio Hearn's classic tale, "Yuki Onna" or "The Snow Woman." Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: ...
Dōsojin: Cuddly and Carnal Road Side Statues (Ep. 126)
June 15, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBDōsojin are "road ancestor deities" from ancient times. They're different than ojizo or rakan statues. So what are they? What do they do? And which prefecture has the wildest festival to celebrate them? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. P...
Kitsune no Koban: Fox Money (Ep. 125)
May 30, 2023 00:00 - 8 minutes - 8.19 MBLearn about Thersa Matsuura tells us about the fox’s coins, a children’s game based on finding seeds that look like gold coins. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Pa...
Story Time: Rokurokubi by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 124)
May 15, 2023 00:00 - 28 minutes - 26.8 MBIn this episode I read Lafcadio Hearn's "Rokurokubi," the quintessential story about this creepy Japanese beastie. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https:...
Black-Toothed Yōkai (Ep. 123)
April 30, 2023 13:08 - 20 minutes - 19 MBA couple black-toothed yōkai and where to find them. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncann...
Ohaguro: The Ultimate Beauty Hack of Ancient Japan (Ep. 122)
April 16, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MBDiscover the history of ohaguro, a traditional practice in Japan where people blacken their teeth. Dating back to the Yayoi era, Ohaguro was first practiced only by the aristocracy but eventually spread to other classes and ages. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly...
Doom and Bloom: Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs (Ep. 121)
March 31, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 20.3 MBBloom and Gloom or Cherry Blossom Folk Beliefs or Sakura: The Wonderful and the Worrisome Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersa...
Akaname: The Thoroughly Gross Scum Licker (Ep. 120)
March 17, 2023 00:00 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBToday we're going to talk about a yokai I've always be quite fond of, a little fella called Akaname or the Scum Licker! Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: h...
The Legend of Shippeitaro (Ep. 119)
March 01, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 19.8 MBShippei Taro is both a folktale and a nanafushigi (strange occurance). I'll tell you all about this local legend as well as read you my translation of the famous story. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! htt...
How to find and identify your own Yokai (Ep. 118)
February 15, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBExplore the parallel world or ikai, and how it is inhabited not just by ghosts or spirits but also by yokai. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www...
Ushi Oni: The Bloodthirsty Cow Demon (Ep. 117)
January 31, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 18.6 MBThe Ushi Oni is a Japanese legend of an ox-headed demon/ogre. It has different appearances but is often depicted as a giant spider with ox head, soft body and red horns. They are commonly found near water bodies like oceans, rivers, lakes, waterfalls and in forests & caves. They are stealthy creatures, with long tongues and claws, and are most dangerous around water. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check o...
Shichifukujin: Your Personal Lucky God (Ep. 116)
January 15, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.8 MBWhich of the Seven Lucky Gods is your patron deity and what does it mean? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website...
Six New Year's No-Nos (Ep. 115)
December 30, 2022 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.8 MBIn old Japan there were six rules, six things you weren't allowed to do on the first three days of the New Year. How do you score on the Six No Nos List? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum...
Temple Statues: Why All the Red Bibs? (Ep. 114)
December 16, 2022 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17 MBWhile strolling through the grounds of a Japanese temple or shrine you have no doubt seen the endearing sight of a statues decked out in red bibs. But why? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanfor...
Karasu: Japanese Crows, Myths and Superstitions (Ep. 113)
December 01, 2022 00:00 - 20 minutes - 23.5 MBThe myth and superstition around Japanese crows/karasu is long and fascinating, sometimes quite weird. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreo...
Goshuin: Temple or Shrine Stamps (Ep. 112)
November 18, 2022 00:00 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MBGoshuin are special stamps you can get when you visit a shrine or temple. In this episode I'll tell you what exactly they are, how to get them, and the manners involved. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! ht...
Creepy Story Time: Hashihime / The Bridge Maiden (Ep. 111)
October 31, 2022 00:00 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBMy version of a creepy Japanese legend called Uji no Hashi Hime/The Maiden of the Bridge. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersam...
Ōkami: Japanese Wolf Part 2 Legends and Lore (Ep. 110)
October 17, 2022 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.1 MBIn part 2 of the ōkami, the Japanese wolf, I talk more about the legends and lore behind the beautiful beast. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www...
Ōkami: Japanese Wolf Part 1 (Ep. 109)
September 30, 2022 00:00 - 21 minutes - 20.3 MBKitsune are everywhere, games, manga, anime, artwork, guarding shrines, possessing people. But what do you know about Japanese wolves? Maybe not so much? Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum...
Hunting for a Tsuchinoko (Ep. 108)
September 16, 2022 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.8 MBThe tsuchinoko is a mysterious, mythical creature that can be seen and heard all over Japan since ancient times, but not one has ever been captured. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.unca...
Your Own Personal Buddha (Ep. 107)
August 31, 2022 00:00 - 23 minutes - 22.1 MBWho is your own patron Buddhist deity? Listen and find out! Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www....
The Unconnected Dead: Muenbotoke (Ep. 106)
August 15, 2022 00:00 - 17 minutes - 16 MBGraves with no one to care for them are called muenbotoke. Learn about a temple that gathers all those ashes and bones and makes Buddhist statues out of them. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japan...
The Sickle Weasel: Kamaitachi (Ep. 105)
July 31, 2022 00:00 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBWhat 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. Today, let's talk about this furry little madman and a few other related creatures, as well as a straight up, non ironic conversation I had with my friend about the kamai...
Another Chilling Children’s Song – Tōryanse (Ep. 104)
July 17, 2022 00:00 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBDo you remember when I talked about Kagome Kagome back in episode 53? A Japanese children's song that had curiously unnerving lyrics about a bird in a cage ("Oh when will it be let out?") And then the lines: "Tsuru to Kame ga subetta -- the crane and the turtle slipped"; and "Ushiro no shoumen dare? -- Who's behind me?") Guess what? That's not the only goosebump-raising children's song in Japan. There's another. Well, at least one more. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other...
Final Listeners' True Spooky Tales - Weeping, Drowning, and Big Wall Blocking (Ep. 103)
June 30, 2022 00:00 - 24 minutes - 22.4 MBFor the last Listeners' True Spooky Tales we're going outside again. Weeping women, grabbing hands, and great big walls that block your path. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.pro...
Listeners' True Spooky Stories: Forest Phantoms and the Black-Nosed Man (Ep. 102)
June 16, 2022 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MBListen to some spooky real life stories that happened in the great outdoors. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Webs...
Listeners' Absolutely True Japanese Ghost Stories Part 2 (Ep. 101)
May 31, 2022 00:00 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBMore listeners' true Japanese ghost stories as well as one of my most terrifying experiences. This is part two of a three part series. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.production...
Listeners' Absolutely True Ghost Stories: Haunted Houses (Ep. 100)
May 16, 2022 01:05 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBTo commemorate our 100th episode, we're sharing listeners' true ghost stories they've experienced while visiting or living in Japan. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/...
The Cat Grave, The Rat Grave: Nekozuka, Nezumizuka (Ep. 99)
April 30, 2022 02:18 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBToday I'll talk about a local legend: Nekozuka and Nezumizuka, the Cat's Grave and the Rat's Grave. It's not only a nanafushigi (one of the Seven Strange Happenings), it's extra special because an old man who has lived his whole life there told me the tale along with some extras his grandfather passed down to him. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. I...
Toilet Gods: Yes! There are More Than One! (Ep. 98)
April 18, 2022 02:18 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBLet me tell you all about the gods that are lurking in your loo. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https:/...
Supernatural Cats: Nekomata (Ep. 97)
March 31, 2022 02:02 - 16 minutes - 15.2 MBThe nekomata is a mysterious feline with two tails and a penchant for dancing. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura We...