Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language
Latest Episodes
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? [This description contains Amazon affiliate
Story Time: The Mirror Maiden by Lafcadio Hearn (Ep. 146)
Today 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 ad
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? [This description con
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? [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click
Abe no Seimei & His Mysterious Place Near Me (Ep. 143)
Abe no Seimei was the greatest onmyji 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 de
Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Koz or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real historical monks. [This description contains Amazon a
The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
In 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, a
A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and youre listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We just moved from the year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon and I want t
Joya no Kane: Purify Yourself With This Episode (Ep. 139)
Joya 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 c
Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)
Shochikubai 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 toda