In this episode of Uncanny Japan, we follow Benzaiten — also known as Benten — from her origins as Saraswati to her place among Japan’s Seven Lucky Gods. Along the way: Enoshima’s five-headed dragon, white snakes as divine messengers, snake-skin wallets, house snakes, and Ugajin, the wonderfully strange human-headed snake deity linked to rice, water, fertili ... Show More
Jun 1
The Ghost-Playing Actor Who Became a REAL Vengeful Ghost: Kohada Koheiji (Ep. 191)
Not all Japanese revenge ghosts are wronged women. Meet Kohada Koheiji: a failed Edo-period actor who became famous for playing ghosts, only to be murdered, drowned, and returned as the very thing he once performed. In this episode, we explore the tangled history of the “real” Ko ... Show More
30m 56s
May 4
Everyone Has a Throat Buddha / What is it and Why? -- Nodohotoke & Story Time: "The Buddha Bone" (Ep. 189)
Have you ever heard of the nodo-hotoke, or “throat Buddha”? In everyday Japanese, it usually refers to the Adam’s apple. But after death, especially in the context of cremation, the nodo-hotoke becomes something else entirely, the actual seat of your soul. In this episode of Unca ... Show More
32m 51s
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
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