Return of the Yokai

<p>People once dreamed of sidewalks that could whisk them across cities. Somehow, that dream ended up at the airport.</p> <p><p>Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of 99% Invisible ad-free and a whole week early.&nbsp;<br><br>Start a free trial now on Apple ... Show More

<p>Comedy writer Elliott Kalan (The Daily Show, <a href="https://www.flophousepodcast.com" target="_blank">The Flop House</a>, <a href="https://mst3k.com" target="_blank">Mystery Science Theater 3000</a>, and co-host of the <a href="https://99percentinvisible.org/powerbroker" tar ... Show More

<p>From buckskin breeches to Patagonia vests, uncover how America’s obsession with ruggedness and war shaped the clothes we wear every day. Avery Trufelman is back with an episode from <a href="https://www.articlesofinterest.co/podcast" target="_blank"><i>Articles of Interest</i> ... Show More

Bing Dwen Dwen, the cute mascot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, is starting a frenzy. All of a sudden, it appeared everywhere while figurines of the mascot are gaining consumers’ hearts all over China. Why is the mascot so popular? What’s the story behind it? Click for more! ... Show More

<p>An overview of the “Fuwa,” the 5 official mascots for the Beijing Olympics. They’re everywhere…as in: can’t-get-away-wake-up-in-cold-sweats-cause-they’re-chasing-you everywhere. We’re talking about “Fuwa”, the 5 official mascots of that small gathering happening next year in t ... Show More

A mythical shape-shifter? An evil raccoon dog? The Tanuki is one of Japan’s most famous fairy tale creatures, known for being a trickster god lurking in the woods. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

<p>In a broken world, what can we gain by looking another animal in the eye? "Animal" is a six-part, round-the-world journey in search of an answer. In Episode 5, the writer Sam Anderson travels to an obscure memorial in rural Japan: the statue of the last Japanese wolf.</p><p>Fo ... Show More

A powerful and mischievous shape-shifter from Japanese mythology, Tengu was known as a mythological trickster. Its depiction ranges from a fierce demonic dog in Chinese folklore to a modern half-man-half-bird creature that permeates Japanese art and ceremony. Learn more about you ... Show More

From Japanese folklore, the Bakeneko is a cat with supernatural powers. Unlike its benevolent cousin, the magical Maneki Neko, Bakeneko terrorized medieval Japan — but it has also been known to avenge cruel injustice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc ... Show More

Art martial japonais, le sumo, pratiqué par des lutteurs au gabarit impressionnant, suscite souvent la curiosité des Occidentaux. Les racines de ce sport de combat traditionnel sont à chercher aussi bien dans la mythologie japonaise que dans certains rituels agricoles... Voir Aca ... Show More

Asian martial arts are often coated in a thick layer of of legend. Many fighting styles have elaborate origin stories and mystical founding fathers. These stories often help enhance the prestige of a particular school and inspire new students. However, the "histories" of many of ... Show More

Kengo Kuma has a philosophy: to enrich the connection between buildings and nature, “almost tuning-in” to the materials. His architecture is inspired by traditional Japanese design, and he is a serious critic of the global dominance of concrete. Kuma’s mission has manifested in i ... Show More

Man in his arrogance thinks himself a great work, worthy the interposition of a deity. More humble, and I believe truer, to consider him created from animals. A military grave from the 5th century BC was found to contain something extraordinary; a macaque monkey dressed as a roma ... Show More