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 this episode we explore Tsukimi moon-viewing traditions, the violent origin of the ... Show More
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
Dec 9
Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)
What if the meal sitting in those beautiful lacquered boxes held messages from the gods? In Japan, osechi-ryōri isn't just New Year's food—it's a sacred offering. Each dish carries specific wishes: black beans for health, herring roe for prosperity, lotus root for clear vision in ... Show More
26m 23s
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
Jul 2023
11x06: Don't Go In The Basement (feat. Trevin Bartee)
Stories in this episode: - The Sinister Realtor, by Alec (0:38) - Untitled Story, by Trevin Bartee (14:33)- Laughing Woman at the Waterpark, by depressedandimmature (25:06) - My Neighbor Was Inside My House, by gotchills (30:31) - Followed on a Dark Country Road, by natural-edged ... Show More
51m 43s