Latest Japanesemyths Podcast Episodes
Shinrei Supotto: Freaky Haunted Areas in Japan (Ep. 63)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - October 31, 2020 23:57 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsLet's visit some local haunted areas or shinrei supotto in Japanese. The Suicide Forest, a very haunted tunnel, and a Severed Head Grave are all in today's show. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows ar...
Yuurei: Japanese Ghosts from Protective to Wrathful (Ep. 62)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - October 15, 2020 00:32 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsYuurei are Japanese ghosts and they come in quite a few varieties, from the protecting shugorei to the vengeful and very dangerous onryou. 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...
Oiran: The Glamorous and Wretched Life of a High Courtesan (Ep. 61)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - September 30, 2020 23:55 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsAn oiran is not a geisha. Although at first glance they may look alike, one is a more reserved entertainer who is still in existence today. The other is a high courtesan, long disappeared, who wore flamboyant brightly-colored kimono and walked on 20 centimeter high geta. Visit the Uncanny Japa...
Kanreki: Your Auspicious Years, Yakudoushi: Your Calamitous Ones (Ep. 60)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - September 15, 2020 09:07 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsKanreki is the celebration of a 60th birthday. They'll don a red vest, called a chanchanko, a red billowy hat, called an e-boshi and be given a white fan to hold. Yakudoshi are the ages you're believed to be more susceptible to sickness, misfortune or some other disaster. Visit the Uncanny Jap...
Koumare Ishi: Inexplicable Rocks That Predict the Deaths of Monks (Ep. 59)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - September 01, 2020 04:07 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsKoumare Ishi is one of the nanafushigi or seven mysterious occurrences from my area. The belief is that a rock is born from the side of the mountain, and when it falls the head abbot of the nearby temple, Daitoku, dies. It's been going on for hundreds of years, and even today there is a perfectl...
Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead (Ep. 58)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - August 17, 2020 02:08 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsBon Odori or Bon Dancing is a summer tradition held all over Japan. It's a chance for families to get together and have an enjoyable time dancing to the rhythmical music. Seeing as how the Obon season is also when ancestors visit from beyond the grave, they, too, can take part in the festivities...
Story Time - The Jellyfish Takes a Journey (plus eel and seppuku!) (Ep. 57)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - July 29, 2020 05:15 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsEver wonder why a jellyfish looks the way they do? Well, the Japanese folktale "The Jellyfish Takes a Journey" (Kurage no Honenashi) tells you how that came about. Then after that folktale, I'll give you a little trivia about the connection between eel and seppuku. Visit the Uncanny Japan webs...
Food Superstitions and Sayings (Ep. 56)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - July 17, 2020 06:46 - 22 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsWhy shouldn't you eat crab and watermelon together? What will happen if you don't eat all the rice in your bowl? Today I'll answer these and a whole lot more. Japanese food superstitions and sayings are quite interesting and sometimes funny. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show not...
Star-Crossed Lovers (Tanabata) (Ep.55)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - June 30, 2020 08:36 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsTanabata is a Japanese festival based on the bizarre tale of two star-crossed lovers, Orihime and Hikoboshi. In episode 55, I'll tell you their story, explain a little about the origins and how it's celebrated today. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Unca...
Yokai-Related Sayings (Becoming a Tengu) (Ep. 54)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - June 18, 2020 12:15 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsWhat if someone told you that you were turning into a tengu, one of those red-faced, long-nosed goblins? What would they mean? In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I talk about a handful of Japanese sayings that are based on youkai. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and trans...
Yokai-Related Sayings: Becoming a Tengu (Ep. 54)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - June 18, 2020 12:15 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsYou 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.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqAtoUS51HDi2d96_aLv95w Web...
Creepy Children's Song (Kagome Kagome) (Ep. 53)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - May 29, 2020 01:45 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsIn Japan "Kagome Kagome" is an old children's game and the song that goes along with it. It's interesting because the mysterious lyrics have several different interpretations and most of them are pretty grim. So listen to episode 53 of Uncanny Japan where I talk about this creepy song and seve...
Creepy Children's Song - Kagome Kagome (Ep. 53)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - May 29, 2020 01:45 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsIn Japan "Kagome Kagome" is an old children's game and the song that goes along with it. It's interesting because the mysterious lyrics have several different interpretations and most of them are pretty grim. So listen to episode 53 of Uncanny Japan where I talk about this creepy song and seve...
Putting a Curse on Your Enemies (Ushi no Koku Mairi) (Ep. 52)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - May 16, 2020 04:06 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsUshi no Koku Mairi means visiting a shrine at the hour of the ox (between 1:00 and 3:00 am). It also means going there so you can put a curse on your enemy. Deriving from the legend of Hashi Hime (The Bridge Princess) and the Noh play Kanawa (The Iron Crown), this peculiar and frightening way of...
Episode 51: Children's Day Iris Baths and Golden Boys (Shobuyu and Kintaro)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 30, 2020 03:10 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsOn May 5th people all across Japan celebrate Children's Day or Kodomo no Hi. It might not be a normal year, but if you look out your veranda you can possibly see some carp streamer (koi nobori). One of the ways to celebrate is with an iris bath or shoubu-yu. It's purported to make you strong lik...
Children's Day Iris Baths and Golden Boys (Shobuyu and Kintaro) (Ep. 51)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 30, 2020 03:10 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsOn May 5th people all across Japan celebrate Children's Day or Kodomo no Hi. It might not be a normal year, but if you look out your veranda you can possibly see some carp streamer (koi nobori). One of the ways to celebrate is with an iris bath or shoubu-yu. It's purported to make you strong lik...
Episode 50: Story Time - Sand Walls, Paper Doors
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 16, 2020 01:12 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsI want to celebrate my fiftieth episode by reading my yokai story, "Sand Walls, Paper Doors" from my book A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories. This is the one that got me my book deal, my agent, and my best friend. Also, yokai, lots of yokai. I'm also going to announce a super-sekrit project ...
Story Time - Sand Walls, Paper Doors (Ep. 50)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 16, 2020 01:12 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsI want to celebrate my fiftieth episode by reading my yokai story, "Sand Walls, Paper Doors" from my book A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories. This is the one that got me my book deal, my agent, and my best friend. Also, yokai, lots of yokai. I'm also going to announce a super-sekrit project ...
Story Time: Sand Walls, Paper Doors (Ep. 50)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 16, 2020 01:12 - 32 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsI want to celebrate my fiftieth episode by reading my yokai story, "Sand Walls, Paper Doors" from my book A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories. This is the one that got me my book deal, my agent, and my best friend. Also, yokai, lots of yokai. Thank you for listening, sharing, and reaching out...
Episode 49: Close Encounter with an Amabie
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 01, 2020 01:31 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsAn amabie is a Japanese yokai that is said to have predicted a plague and then encouraged people to share its image to protect them from that previously predicted plague. Or something like that. The amabie has recently been re-remembered all over Japanese social media with people posting their...
Close Encounter with an Amabie (Ep. 49)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - April 01, 2020 01:31 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsAn amabie is a Japanese yokai that is said to have predicted a plague and then encouraged people to share its image to protect them from that previously predicted plague. Or something like that. The amabie has recently been re-remembered all over Japanese social media with people posting their...
The Kappa's Fart (Ep. 48)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - March 15, 2020 06:13 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsA kappa is a small, scrawny, aquatic yokai with a parrot-like beak, a tortoise-style shell on its back, and an indentation on the top of its head full of water. They're found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and even coastal areas. But what do they do? While recently kappa have been rebranded to be ve...
Episode 48: The Kappa's Fart
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - March 15, 2020 06:13 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsA kappa is a small, scrawny, aquatic yokai with a parrot-like beak, a tortoise-style shell on its back, and an indentation on the top of its head full of water. They're found in rivers, lakes, ponds, and even coastal areas. But what do they do? While recently kappa have been rebranded to be ve...
The Guest Room Child (Zashiki Warashi) (Ep. 47)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - February 27, 2020 09:38 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsHave you ever been sleeping and had a bout of kanashibari (sleep paralysis)? Then during that surreal--most likely frightening--experience, have you ever had what feels like a ghost child crawling on top of you? Or maybe late one night when you're all alone, you've heard an unseen child giggling...
Episode 47: The Guest Room Child (Zashiki Warashi)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - February 27, 2020 09:38 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsHave you ever been sleeping and had a bout of kanashibari (sleep paralysis)? Then during that surreal -- most likely frightening -- experience, have you ever had what feels like a ghost child crawling on top of you? Or maybe late one night when you're all alone, you've heard an unseen child gigg...
Episode 46: Kanashibari and the Pillow Flipper (Makura Gaeshi)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - February 11, 2020 11:34 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsThe makura gaeshi, or pillow flipper, was thought to cause kanashibari, otherwise known as sleep paralysis. It happens when you believe you've woken up in bed, but you're actually somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. You’re aware of the room around you, but there's a subtle change in the air...
Kanashibari and the Pillow Flipper (Makura Gaeshi) (Ep. 46)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - February 11, 2020 11:34 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsThe makura gaeshi, or pillow flipper, was thought to cause kanashibari, otherwise known as sleep paralysis. It happens when you believe you've woken up in bed, but you're actually somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. You’re aware of the room around you, but there's a subtle change in the air...
Episode 45: Auspicious Cuisine (Osechi Ryori)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - January 23, 2020 04:41 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsWant to increase your chances of a new year filled with health, prosperity, and an abundance of children and grandchildren? All you need to do is eat some delicious osechi ryori. Osechi is Japan's New Year's cuisine that includes such delicacies as herring wrapped in kelp and tied with gourd str...
Auspicious Cuisine (Osechi Ryori) (Ep. 45)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - January 23, 2020 04:41 - 16 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsWant to increase your chances of a new year filled with health, prosperity, and an abundance of children and grandchildren? All you need to do is eat some delicious osechi ryori. Osechi is Japan's New Year's cuisine that includes such delicacies as herring wrapped in kelp and tied with gourd str...
Episode 44: Haunted Artifacts (Tsukumogami)
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language - December 24, 2019 03:53 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 153 ratingsIn Japan when an inanimate object reaches its 100th birthday and perhaps it was mistreated, or lost, or thrown away, it gains a soul and might possibly start playing tricks on people. This is called tsukumogami, or haunted artifacts. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I talk about the tsukumogami...
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