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
Episode 31: Story Time - Of a Mirror and a Bell (Lafcadio Hearn)
March 06, 2019 06:29 - 15 minutes - 19.4 MBStory Time is a little bit different than the usual Uncanny Japan podcast. Instead of me telling you about some interesting, odd, or spooky tidbit, I'll be reading you a story. This is something I do over on Patreon once a month. There I call them Bedtime Stories and they're more varied, from obscure pieces of folklore I find, translate, and slightly reimagine (for the story's sake), to pieces I discover in the public domain and sometimes even my own work. But that's that. Here on Uncanny ...
Human-Faced Fish (Ep. 30)
February 21, 2019 05:11 - 12 minutes - 12.2 MBNext time you're staring down into a rowdy school of koi, keep an eye out for the one that has a human face. This is a jinmengyo and rumor has it if you see one a tsunami is on its way. Or maybe if you're lucky, you'll get a glimpse of the nekomengyo/cat-faced carp. Which is much cuter until it grows those long legs and walks around at night. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot...
Episode 30: Human-Faced Fish
February 21, 2019 05:11 - 12 minutes - 12.2 MB(Transcript below) Next time you’re staring down into a rowdy school of koi, keep an eye out for the one that has a human face. This is a jinmengyo and rumor has it if you see one a tsunami is on its way. Newspaper reporting human-faced fish spotted in Korea after 14 years Or maybe if you’re lucky, you’ll get a glimpse of the nekomengyo/cat-faced carp. Which is much cuter until it grows those long legs and walks around at night. You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/...
Episode 29: The Devils are Coming! (Setsubun)
January 29, 2019 11:03 - 12 minutes - 12.9 MBThe devils are coming! Or the ogres or demons, depending on how you translate the Japanese word oni (鬼). February 3rd is Setsubun in Japan and it's not just the day before spring according to the lunar calendar, it's also the day that oni prowl the streets and children must pelt them roasted soybeans to insure good luck for the coming year. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I talk about Setsubun and the various ways it's celebrated. Eho-maki Sushi for Good Luck! This years good luck dire...
The Devils are Coming! (Setsubun) (Ep. 29)
January 29, 2019 11:03 - 12 minutes - 12.9 MBThe devils are coming! Or the ogres or demons, depending on how you translate the Japanese word oni (鬼). February 3rd is Setsubun in Japan and it's not just the day before spring according to the lunar calendar, it's also the day that oni prowl the streets and children must pelt them roasted soybeans to insure good luck for the coming year. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I talk about Setsubun and the various ways it's celebrated. This years good luck direction to face when eating your e...
The Leech Boy Who Became a God (Ep. 28)
January 14, 2019 14:14 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBI'm starting 2019 off with the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin), or, well, more specifically ONE of the Seven Lucky Gods: Ebisu. He's the only one born and bred in Japan and, boy, does he have some seriously weird backstory. Come listen to me talk about Ebisu while binaurally recording a walk through Kyoto Station. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other show is The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out he...
Episode 28: The Leech Boy Who Became a God
January 14, 2019 14:14 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBI'm starting 2019 off with the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin), or, well, more specifically ONE of the Seven Lucky Gods: Ebisu. He's the only one born and bred in Japan and, boy, does he have some seriously weird backstory. Come listen to me talk about Ebisu while binaurally recording a walk through Kyoto Station. You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Instagr...
Ebisu, The Leech Boy Who Became a God (Ep. 28)
January 14, 2019 14:14 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBI'm starting 2019 off with the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin), or, well, more specifically ONE of the Seven Lucky Gods: Ebisu. He's the only one born and bred in Japan and, boy, does he have some seriously weird backstory. Come listen to me talk about Ebisu while binaurally recording a walk through Kyoto Station. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing S...
Ojizo Bound in Ropes Doused in Oil (Ep. 27)
December 14, 2018 05:01 - 14 minutes - 14 MBThe ojizo only wants to ease our suffering, and for that he gets tied up in ropes, doused in oil, and his head lopped off. Episode 27 of Uncanny Japan talks a little more about the ojizo statue, bringing to light some of the curious, unique, and bizarre manifestations of this beneficent deity. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out...
Episode 27: Ojizo Bound in Ropes Doused in Oil
December 14, 2018 05:01 - 14 minutes - 14 MBThe ojizo only wants to ease our suffering, and for that he gets tied up in ropes, doused in oil, and his head lopped off. Episode 27 of Uncanny Japan talks a little more about the ojizo statue, bringing to light some of the curious, unique, and bizarre manifestations of this beneficent deity. You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Instagram: https://www.instagra...
Episode 26: Ojizo. The Little Guy Saving You and Yours From the Torments of Hell
November 21, 2018 08:42 - 10 minutes - 15.6 MBAn ojizo-sama is here to put aside his own enlightenment in order to save us all from the torments of hell. True story. He is especially partial to children, expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, pilgrims, stillborn, miscarried, and aborted babies. Do you have some kind of pain? He's here to take that away, too. The background binaural sounds are a small group of Japanese men and women playing a game of gateball. They're rooting for each other, taking the piss out of each other, and final...
Ojizo. The Little Guy Saving You and Yours From the Torments of Hell (Ep. 26)
November 21, 2018 08:42 - 10 minutes - 15.6 MBAn ojizo-sama is here to put aside his own enlightenment in order to save us all from the torments of hell. True story. He is especially partial to children, expectant mothers, firemen, travelers, pilgrims, stillborn, miscarried, and aborted babies. Do you have some kind of pain? He's here to take that away, too. The background binaural sounds are a small group of Japanese men and women playing a game of gateball. They're rooting for each other, taking the piss out of each other, and final...
Bancho Sarayashiki: Okiku and the Nine Plates (Ep. 25)
October 29, 2018 23:43 - 9 minutes - 9.24 MBOne, two, three... Okiku kneeling, counts the priceless plates that have been entrusted to her. Four, five, six... her samurai master, Tessan, stands, hands on hips, he watches her trembling hands. Seven, eight, nine... Okiku gasps. She checks the wooden chest, looks around panicked. There were ten. Now there are nine. Where did the other one go? Tessan enraged accuses her of stealing it, or perhaps breaking it and hiding the pieces. Where did she hide them? Maybe in the well. Tessan drags t...
Okiku and the Nine Plates (Bancho no Sarayashiki) (Ep. 25)
October 29, 2018 23:43 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBOne, two, three... Okiku kneeling, counts the priceless plates that have been entrusted to her. Four, five, six... her samurai master, Tessan, stands, hands on hips, he watches her trembling hands. Seven, eight, nine... Okiku gasps. She checks the wooden chest, looks around panicked. There were ten. Now there are nine. Where did the other one go? Tessan enraged accuses her of stealing it, or perhaps breaking it and hiding the pieces. Where did she hide them? Maybe in the well. Tessan drags t...
Episode 25: Okiku and the Nine Plates (Bancho no Sarayashiki)
October 29, 2018 23:43 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBOne, two, three... Okiku kneeling, counts the priceless plates that have been entrusted to her. Four, five, six... her samurai master, Tessan, stands, hands on hips, he watches her trembling hands. Seven, eight, nine... Okiku gasps. She checks the wooden chest, looks around panicked. There were ten. Now there are nine. Where did the other one go? Tessan enraged accuses her of stealing it, or perhaps breaking it and hiding the pieces. Where did she hide them? Maybe in the well. Tessan drags t...
A Bedtime Story - Kachi-Kachi Mountain (PG Version) (Ep. 24)
October 11, 2018 23:54 - 26 minutes - 24 MBEpisode 24 of Uncanny Japan is a story, a Bedtime Story. Here I read to you my retelling and reimagining of a classic Japanese folktale Kachi Kachi Yama (Kachi Kachi Mountain). There are quite a few versions of the story out there. This one is very PG and everyone friendly. The more true-to-the-original and very slightly R-rated is over as extra content on Patreon. You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Patreon:...
Episode 24: A Bedtime Story - Kachi-Kachi Mountain (PG Version)
October 11, 2018 23:54 - 26 minutes - 24 MBEpisode 24 of Uncanny Japan is a story, a Bedtime Story. Here I read to you my retelling and reimagining of a classic Japanese folktale Kachi Kachi Yama (Kachi Kachi Mountain). There are quite a few versions of the story out there. This one is very PG and everyone friendly. The more true-to-the-original and very slightly R-rated is over as extra content on Patreon. You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Patreon:...
A Bedtime Story: Kachi-Kachi Mountain (PG Version) (Ep. 24)
October 11, 2018 23:54 - 26 minutes - 24.3 MBEpisode 24 of Uncanny Japan is a story, a Bedtime Story. Here I read to you my retelling and reimagining of a classic Japanese folktale Kachi Kachi Yama (Kachi Kachi Mountain). There are quite a few versions of the story out there. This one is very PG and everyone friendly. The more true-to-the-original and very slightly R-rated is over as extra content on Patreon. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other sh...
The Slit-Mouthed Woman (Kuchisake Onna) (Ep. 23)
September 20, 2018 13:41 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBI've had quite a few requests via email, DMs, and reviews for a show on Japanese urban legends. This episode is in answer to those requests. Here are two urban myths that have always intrigued me: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (kuchisake onna) and The White Thread That Comes from Your Ear (mimi kara shiroi ito). Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcas...
Kuchisake-onna: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (Ep. 23)
September 20, 2018 13:41 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MBI've had quite a few requests via email, DMs, and reviews for a show on Japanese urban legends. This episode is in answer to those requests. Here are two urban myths that have always intrigued me: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (kuchisake onna) and The White Thread That Comes from Your Ear (mimi kara shiroi ito). Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcas...
Episode 23: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (Kuchisake Onna)
September 20, 2018 13:41 - 13 minutes - 15.4 MBI've had quite a few requests via email, DMs, and reviews for a show on Japanese urban legends. Episode #23 is in answer to those requests. Here are two urban myths that have always intrigued me: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (kuchisake onna) and The White Thread That Comes from Your Ear (mimi kara shiroi ito). You can also find me on: Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Instagram: https://w...
Episode 22: Great Screaming and Uninterrupted Pain More Buddhist Hells
September 03, 2018 15:00 - 9 minutes - 11.5 MBHere are the last four Buddhist Hot Hells for your enjoyment. There is extreme heat, much screaming, and a flaming rooster. Also, I was able to catch a local summer festival on the binaural mics. That is very cool.
Great Screaming and Uninterrupted Pain More Buddhist Hells (Ep. 22)
September 03, 2018 15:00 - 9 minutes - 11.5 MBHere are the last four Buddhist Hot Hells for your enjoyment. There is extreme heat, much screaming, and a flaming rooster. Also, I was able to catch a local summer festival on the binaural mics. That is very cool. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. 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...
Episode 21: Screaming and Crushing in Four Buddhist Hells
August 14, 2018 13:30 - 11 minutes - 13.8 MBThe first of two podcasts this month, Episode 21: Screaming and Crushing in Four Buddhist Hells, is just about that, four of the eight Buddhist Hot Hells. Come listen to what happens when you kill a mosquito, commit mutiny, or convince your drunken friend to do your evil bidding. Also, you don't want to lie, lest an oni pull your tongue out with red hot pliers. Look. That's what it says right up there. Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (from the...
Screaming and Crushing in Four Buddhist Hells (Ep. 21)
August 14, 2018 13:30 - 11 minutes - 13.8 MBThe first of two podcasts this month, Episode 21: Screaming and Crushing in Four Buddhist Hells, is just about that, four of the eight Buddhist Hot Hells. Come listen to what happens when you kill a mosquito, commit mutiny, or convince your drunken friend to do your evil bidding. Also, you don't want to lie, lest an oni pull your tongue out with red hot pliers. Look. That's what it says right up there. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan...
Episode 20: Ship Goddesses, Boat Ghosts, and Sea Monks (Funadama, Funa Yurei, Umi Bozu)
July 19, 2018 10:00 - 9 minutes - 9.4 MBThe third Monday of July is Umi no Hi (海の日), Marine Day, so this month on Uncanny Japan I decided to talk about three otherworldly ocean creatures: Ship Goddesses, Boat Ghosts, and Sea Monks. Funa dama (船霊), funa yurei (船幽霊), and umi bozu (海坊主). This month's Bedtime Story (over on Patreon) is a folktale I translated called: The Umbrella Sea Monster. Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (from the album Ting Shuo).
Ship Goddesses, Boat Ghosts, and Sea Monks (Funadama, Funa Yurei, Umi Bozu) (Ep. 20)
July 19, 2018 10:00 - 9 minutes - 9.41 MBThe third Monday of July is Umi no Hi (海の日), Marine Day, so this month on Uncanny Japan I decided to talk about three otherworldly ocean creatures: Ship Goddesses, Boat Ghosts, and Sea Monks. Funa dama (船霊), funa yurei (船幽霊), and umi bozu (海坊主). This month's Bedtime Story (over on Patreon) is a folktale I translated called: The Umbrella Sea Monster. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https:/...
The Heavenly Demon (Amanojaku) + Bedtime Story! (Ep. 19)
June 26, 2018 18:00 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MBThis month's podcast is a special one. Not only did I do a podcast about a strange little creature called the amanojaku (天邪鬼), but at the end I attached one of my Bedtime Stories that I record monthly for my Patrons. So if you stay tuned after the podcast (a whopping 10 minutes), you'll be treated to my interpretation (the happy-ending version) of Urikohime (瓜子姫), The Melon Princess and the Amanojaku. The podcast: The amanojaku is a nasty Japanese beastie that predates Buddhism, might have...
Episode 19: The Heavenly Demon (Amanojaku) + Bedtime Story!
June 26, 2018 18:00 - 29 minutes - 27.6 MBThis month's podcast is a special one. Not only did I do a podcast about a strange little creature called the amanojaku (天邪鬼), but at the end I attached one of my Bedtime Stories that I record monthly for my Patrons. So if you stay tuned after the podcast (a whopping 10 minutes), you'll be treated to my interpretation (the happy-ending version) of Urikohime (瓜子姫), The Melon Princess and the Amanojaku. The podcast: The amanojaku is a nasty Japanese beastie that predates Buddhism, might have...
Episode 18: The God of Smallpox (Housougami)
May 19, 2018 03:00 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBWelcome to May's Uncanny Japan. In this episode I talk about the God of Smallpox (housougami/疱瘡神). Come listen to the beliefs in this fearsome god and how dogs and the color red kept him at bay. Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (“Yi Gui” from Ting Shuo). The whole album is just gorgeous as it everything else by FM3.
The God of Smallpox (Housougami) (Ep. 18)
May 19, 2018 03:00 - 10 minutes - 9.61 MBWelcome to May's Uncanny Japan. In this episode I talk about the God of Smallpox (housougami/疱瘡神). Come listen to the beliefs in this fearsome god and how dogs and the color red kept him at bay. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapa...
Granny Dumping Mountain (Ubasute Yama) (Ep. 17)
April 21, 2018 02:00 - 8 minutes - 8.5 MBThis month on Uncanny Japan I talk about Ubasuta Yama (姥捨山) or Granny Dumping Mountain. Back in old Japan when times were tough and there were too many mouths for one family to feed, they might do something called kuchi herashi (口減らし) or getting rid of mouths. One way to do this was to send one (or more) of your children to live with a wealthier family. Another way to cut down on the number of mouths that needed to be fed was to haul grandma or grandpa up into the mountains and leave them to...
Episode 17: Granny Dumping Mountain (Ubasute Yama)
April 21, 2018 02:00 - 8 minutes - 8.5 MBThis month on Uncanny Japan I talk about Ubasuta Yama (姥捨山) or Granny Dumping Mountain. Back in old Japan when times were tough and there were too many mouths for one family to feed, they might do something called kuchi herashi (口減らし) or getting rid of mouths. One way to do this was to send one (or more) of your children to live with a wealthier family. Another way to cut down on the number of mouths that needed to be fed was to haul grandma or grandpa up into the mountains and leave them to...
Episode 16: Playing Hide and Seek by Yourself (Hitori Kakurenbo)
March 18, 2018 02:00 - 10 minutes - 10.3 MB(Transcript available) Hitori kakurenbo (一人隠れん坊 ) means playing hide and seek by yourself. It sounds silly, but it's actually a super creepy, Japanese urban myth that involves you all alone at night with nothing but a stuffed animal, some red thread, and a knife. Come listen to this month's Uncanny Japan where I talk about how to play hitori kakurenbo while my binaural mics pick up all the sounds of sitting beside a river at dusk. This month is the first time there's a transcript of th...
Playing Hide and Seek by Yourself (Hitori Kakurenbo) (Ep. 16)
March 18, 2018 02:00 - 10 minutes - 10.3 MBHitori kakurenbo (一人隠れん坊 ) means playing hide and seek by yourself. It sounds silly, but it's actually a super creepy, Japanese urban myth that involves you all alone at night with nothing but a stuffed animal, some red thread, and a knife. Come listen to this month's Uncanny Japan where I talk about how to play hitori kakurenbo while my binaural mics pick up all the sounds of sitting beside a river at dusk. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patre...
Episode 15: Inviting a Friend to Die (Rokuyo)
February 19, 2018 19:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBThe rokuyo (六曜) or six days is the Japanese calendar that you consult when preparing to engage in various affairs: wedding, funerals, trips, and business dealings to name a few. Some days are good for some things, other days are good for others. Some days are just bad, bad, bad. If you take a good look at a lot of Japanese calendars and daily planners, they have two small kanji written in the corner of every day. These signify which of the six rokuyo that particular day is. You definitely ...
Inviting a Friend to Die (Rokuyo) (Ep. 15)
February 19, 2018 19:00 - 12 minutes - 12.3 MBThe rokuyo (六曜) or six days is the Japanese calendar that you consult when preparing to engage in various affairs: wedding, funerals, trips, and business dealings to name a few. Some days are good for some things, other days are good for others. Some days are just bad, bad, bad. If you take a good look at a lot of Japanese calendars and daily planners, they have two small kanji written in the corner of every day. These signify which of the six rokuyo that particular day is. You definitely ...
Episode 14: Living Buddhas-kinda… (Sokushinbutsu)
January 17, 2018 21:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBListen to me talk about this wonderfully surreal thing I found: Living Buddhas (ikibotoke, 生き仏 or sokushinbutsu, 即身仏). The thing is, they're not really alive, at least not anymore. *cue scary music*... no, seriously, cue the scary music, things are going to get weird. Also, because I didn't mention it in the podcast the background of this month's Uncanny Japan was recorded at a local temple on New Year's Eve at midnight. The sounds you hear are the people milling around wishing each other ...
Sokushinbutsu: The Corpses of “Living” Buddhas (Ep. 14)
January 17, 2018 21:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBListen to me talk about this wonderfully surreal thing I found: Living Buddhas (ikibotoke, 生き仏 or sokushinbutsu, 即身仏). The thing is, they're not really alive, at least not anymore. *cue scary music*... no, seriously, cue the scary music, things are going to get weird. Also, because I didn't mention it in the podcast the background of this month's Uncanny Japan was recorded at a local temple on New Year's Eve at midnight. The sounds you hear are the people milling around wishing each other ...
Living Buddhas-kinda… (Sokushinbutsu) (Ep. 14)
January 17, 2018 21:00 - 11 minutes - 10.7 MBListen to me talk about this wonderfully surreal thing I found: Living Buddhas (ikibotoke, 生き仏 or sokushinbutsu, 即身仏). The thing is, they're not really alive, at least not anymore. *cue scary music*... no, seriously, cue the scary music, things are going to get weird. Also, because I didn't mention it in the podcast the background of this month's Uncanny Japan was recorded at a local temple on New Year's Eve at midnight. The sounds you hear are the people milling around wishing each other ...
Teachers Running (Shiwasu) (Ep. 13)
December 17, 2017 19:00 - 17 minutes - 16.2 MBEveryone's busy. It's the end of the year. Come listen to me talk about how we spend December in Japan while you listen to a mochi-pounding event in the background on binaural mics. There is cleaning, haircuts, paying debts and staying up all night to avoid gray hair. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: ht...
Episode 13: Teachers Running (Shiwasu)
December 17, 2017 19:00 - 17 minutes - 15.9 MBEveryone's busy. It's the end of the year. Come listen to me talk about how we spend December in Japan while you listen to a mochi-pounding event in the background on binaural mics. There is cleaning, haircuts, paying debts and staying up all night to avoid gray hair. Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (“Yi Gui” from Ting Shuo). The whole album is just gorgeous as it everything else by FM3.
Goroawase: Tricky Numbers (Ep. 12)
November 16, 2017 03:00 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MBIn Japan numbers can be tricky. Four is thought to invite death. Nine brings suffering and agony. But, hey! Eight is good! Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https:/...
Tricky Numbers (Goro Awase) (Ep. 12)
November 16, 2017 03:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBIn Japan numbers can be tricky. Four is thought to invite death. Nine brings suffering and agony. But, hey! Eight is good! Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (“Yi Gui” from Ting Shuo). The whole album is just gorgeous as it everything else by FM3.
Episode 12: Tricky Numbers (Goro Awase)
November 16, 2017 03:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBIn Japan numbers can be tricky. Four is thought to invite death. Nine brings suffering and agony. But, hey! Eight is good! Notes: The intro/outro music of Uncanny Japan is a song by Christiaan Virant (“Yi Gui” from Ting Shuo). The whole album is just gorgeous as it everything else by FM3.
Episode 11: The Devil’s Gate (Kimon)
October 18, 2017 03:00 - 19 minutes - 18.5 MBYou have one. I have one. We all have one: a Devil's Gate. It's the place where oni (Japanese devils) sneak into your home, steal all your good luck and fine health, and scuttle away. It's the place you have to be very careful about and treat with respect. The problem is, most of us have no idea where our Devil's Gate (kimon) is, much less what to do to appease and/or keep out those pesky devils. Walk with me in the pouring rain and listen to this month's podcast. It's all about your devil...
The Devil’s Gate (Kimon) (Ep. 11)
October 18, 2017 03:00 - 19 minutes - 18.5 MBYou have one. I have one. We all have one: a Devil's Gate. It's the place where oni (Japanese devils) sneak into your home, steal all your good luck and fine health, and scuttle away. It's the place you have to be very careful about and treat with respect. The problem is, most of us have no idea where our Devil's Gate (kimon) is, much less what to do to appease and/or keep out those pesky devils. Walk with me in the pouring rain and listen to this month's podcast. It's all about your devil...
Episode 10: Hungry Ghosts (Gaki)
September 13, 2017 06:00 - 15 minutes - 14.8 MBCareful. Living a life of luxury while being selfish and coveting your neighbors goodies just might lead you to another spin on this Wheel of Life. This means after you die you'll be reborn not as a human again, not even as a squirrel in someone's backyard. You might just come back as a hungry ghost, and let me tell you why that's not a very good thing. This month's podcast is about Japanese hungry ghosts or gaki in Japanese. Not for the feint of heart. Notes: The intro/outro music of Un...
Hungry Ghosts (Gaki) (Ep. 10)
September 13, 2017 06:00 - 15 minutes - 14.8 MBCareful. Living a life of luxury while being selfish and coveting your neighbors goodies just might lead you to another spin on this Wheel of Life. This means after you die you'll be reborn not as a human again, not even as a squirrel in someone's backyard. You might just come back as a hungry ghost, and let me tell you why that's not a very good thing. This month's podcast is about Japanese hungry ghosts or gaki in Japanese. Not for the feint of heart. Notes: The intro/outro music of Un...
Gaki: Hungry Ghosts (Ep. 10)
September 13, 2017 06:00 - 15 minutes - 14.8 MBCareful. Living a life of luxury while being selfish and coveting your neighbors goodies just might lead you to another spin on this Wheel of Life. This means after you die you'll be reborn not as a human again, not even as a squirrel in someone's backyard. You might just come back as a hungry ghost, and let me tell you why that's not a very good thing. This month's podcast is about Japanese hungry ghosts or gaki in Japanese. Not for the feint of heart. Please join our community forum! h...