Bloom 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, plea ... Show More
Nov 20
Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered Goddesses, and Tsukimi (Ep. 183)
Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears.
In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through China and transformed along the way.
In thi ... Show More
30m 46s
Apr 2021
223A-Samurai Legends: The Devil went down to Kyoto
<p>Three connected stories of samurai from medieval Japan. On the first, Kintaro, a buff eight-year-old, discovers his destiny. On the second, Watanabe no Tsuna, a samurai warrior in his prime fights a demon that's been terrorizing a gate in Kyoto, and on the third he's recruited ... Show More
40m 24s
Jun 2024
Shogun and Shinto: What Life Was Like In Feudal Japan
<p>What was life like in feudal Japan? If you were born into the chaos of the Warring States period, would you have been a farmer, a merchant or a samurai? Or perhaps even an Emperor?</p><br><p>Delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, <em>Assassin’s Creed ... Show More
37m 40s
Feb 2021
214-Japanese Folklore: Take Your Lumps
<p>Two short stories from Japan. On the first, an old man is in a tree surrounded by demons and faced with a desperate choice. On the second, a man has a pet that his wife is not thrilled about, so she makes that known. With scissors.</p>
<p>The creature is a sad cow! Or a vamp ... Show More
32m 58s
Apr 2023
Episode 361 w/ Kiss Café Coffee (Jadakiss, Bob and Jaewon Phillips)
<p>N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN are the Drink Champs. In this episode the Champs chop it up with Jadakiss, Bob and Jaewon Phillips of Kiss Café Coffee!<br>The Phillips family (Jada, Bob and Jaewon) created Kiss Café with honesty and accessibility, as coffee has been an important part of ... Show More
2h 39m
Jun 2023
History of Everything: The Legend of Houdini
Harry Houdini was an American escape artist, magic man, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician Robert-Houdin. Truly though his story is wild and with many twists and turns.
Travel to Japan With Me her ... Show More
1h 32m