So, you've died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells.
What does Japanese Buddhism suggest happens after death? I found these traditional afterlife concepts fascinating - there's this whole intricate spiritual bureaucracy that kicks in once you die. I'm talking about a 49-day underworld journey, fearsome j ... Show More
Apr 21
Ofuda & Omamori: Lucky Talismans & Charms
After exploring animal spirit possession last episode, Thersa turns to the Japanese ways of staying safe, getting a little lucky, and maybe even finding love through ofuda and omamori, talismans and charms filled with divine power and everyday hope. With birdsong in the backgroun ... Show More
29m 21s
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
31m 3s
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
Aug 2024
Rayess Bek: Studio Session
<p>We're stoked to finally be launching our live in-studio sessions in our podcast recording studio in Beirut as an extension to Quartertones. The first is with no other than our past guest Rayess Bek (aka Wael Kodeih), the Lebanese music composer, producer, and performer's behin ... Show More
12m 55s
Dec 2022
9x19: Return to Grey Cloud Island - Let's Not Meet
Stories in this episode: - The Long Term Tinder Date, by Anonymous (0:50) - The Man with the Bricks, by Lucifer 666 (13:09) - Another Grey Cloud Island Story, by AC (20:48) - My Trip to the Tate Modern, by JH (31:38) - Man with a Van in the Waffle House Parking Lot, by Mark (41:1 ... Show More
44m 28s
Sep 2023
11x11: Summer in Paradise (Live Stream)
Stories in this episode: - Summer in Paradise, by John (1:27) - I Need to Get Some Sugar, by Nicole (12:45) - I Shouldn't Have Come Back, by Wes' Grandma (20:09) - The Prowler, by Ro (26:28) - Fake Shuttle Driver, by Anonymous (32:51) - Car Wash, by B (39:12) - The Man in the Tre ... Show More
1h 2m
Feb 2023
10x02: The Basement Bathroom - Let's Not Meet
Stories in this episode:- Creepy Story from 1990, by Breezy (0:50) - The Basement Bathroom by Emilie (5:17) - The Aggressive Good Samaritan, by Gracie (15:32) - Creepy Camouflaged Mountain Man, by Lily (19:07) - Man in the Woods, by Halley (30:54) - Stalked by the River, by Simon ... Show More
48m 41s
Jan 2023
UFO on the River (ft. Cassidy Liston) – Ep. 60
Stories in this episode:- UFO on the River, by Rhett- Restaurant Kitchen Encounter, by Auston- I Think Something is Attached to Me, by Stevie- Haunted Drill Hall, by Jared- The Time I Saw Myself Die, by Tina- My Psychic Circle Story, by BizaSubmissions: stories@oddtrails.comListe ... Show More
54m 22s