Nami-Kozō: The Creepy Little Wave Boy (Ep. 142)
A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations to his story, some involving real historical monks. [This description contains Amazon ...
16 Feb 202421min
The All-powerful Five Elements and You (Ep. 141)
In Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all throughout Japanese culture-in tea ceremony, martial arts, acupuncture, herbalism, esoteric Buddhism, a...
31 Jan 202423min
A Rollicking and Powerful Year of the Dragon 2024 (Ep. 140)
Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and you’re listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We just moved from the year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon and I want t...
16 Jan 202415min
Joya no Kane: Japanese Temple Bells Ring Out 108 Sins at New Year (Ep. 139)
What happens when 108 temple bell rings wash away a year's worth of sins? Thersa has climbed the hill to her local Buddhist temple every New Year's Eve. The tradition is joya no kane—ringing out the...
28 Des 202317min
Shochikubai: Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Samurai Shade (Ep. 138)
Shochikubai means "pine, bamboo, plum" and are considered the three winter friends. You'll find them in New Year decorations as well as another interesting and surprising place. I'll tell more on toda...
15 Des 202318min
A Delightful Dive into Meiji Era Yokai News (Ep. 137)
Today I’m going to do something a little different, again. I’m going to give you some real yōkai and paranormal news. Not current news, but stories that were actually published in newspapers during th...
1 Des 202319min
The Dreaded Northern Pillow (kitamakura) and Fan Death (Ep. 136)
Is sleeping with your head facing north a practice that'll bring you bad luck and invite death or is it good luck, welcoming a restful night's sleep and money? [This description contains Amazon affil...
15 Nov 202323min
"The Other Side" A Creepy Japanese Ghost Story (Ep. 135)
"The Other Side" is a ghost story I wrote using some of the more common Japanese scary tropes. Put on some headphones and turn out the lights and let me tell you a story. Uncanny Japan is author Ther...
31 Okt 202331min
