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
Apr 7
Tsukimono: Possessed by an Animal (Ep. 187)
What is tsukimono? In Japanese culture, it’s the unsettling idea of possession—when a human or animal spirit attaches itself to you and usually does harm. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I explore animal possession: foxes, dogs, snakes, and even horses that cling to people for ... Show More
32m 28s
Mar 17
Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding Witch & Giant Skeleton (Ep. 186)
A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in ways you might not expect. In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime, daughter of the infamous Taira no Masakado, and th ... Show More
21m 57s
Feb 16
Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan and Cursed Kimonos (Ep. 185)
2026 is the year of the fire horse—a year that happens only once every 60 years. Across East Asia, it symbolizes transformation, intensity, and bold action. But in Japan? It's feared. Birth rates actually plummet during fire horse years because of a superstition that dates back t ... Show More
16m 25s
Apr 2021
223A-Samurai Legends: The Devil went down to Kyoto
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 by ... Show More
40m 24s
Jun 2024
Shogun and Shinto: What Life Was Like In Feudal Japan
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?Delving into the history behind the latest Assassin’s Creed game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Matt Lew ... 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
Jun 2024
The Ultimate Samurai Warlord: Oda Nobunaga, Japan's First Great Unifier
Oda Nobunaga, samurai warlord. He’s one of Japan’s most infamous and consequential figures, known to many as Japan’s first ‘Great Unifier’. From humble beginnings as the daimyo of Owari province, he embarked on a mission to unite all of Japan under his sole control. But how did h ... Show More
49m 12s
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