50 Yūrei, Ghosts & Yōkai, A Chat w. Zack Davisson

50 Yūrei, Ghosts & Yōkai, A Chat w. Zack Davisson

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about creepy apartments and Japanese ghosts with Japanese folklore expert, writer, and translator Zack Davisson.

About Zack Davisson

Zack Davisson is an award-winning translator, writer, and lecturer whose work focuses primarily on Japanese folklore. Davisson has written extensively about yōkai and Japanese ghosts (yūrei), as well as translated the works of renowned Japanese writers and manga artists such as Shigeru Mizuki and Satoshi Kon.

Topics Discussed
  • Zack Davisson's time living at Kishigami Bunka in an apartment that was thought to be haunted
  • The process you typically go through when trying to find an apartment in Japan
  • What reikin is
  • How Zack Davisson became interested in folklore and the supernatural
  • Japan's relationship with the supernatural
  • What Obon is and its connection to ghosts/spirits
  • Zack Davisson's advice for those studying Japanese
  • What reikan is
  • What a yurei is
  • Documenting yokai in early modern Japan
  • Differing views on whether yūrei are a type of yōkai
  • The English term "ghost" and how its meaning has changed
  • The Japanese drama Yōkai Sharehouse (Yōkai Sheahausu)
  • The characteristics that make yūrei distinct from other ghosts/sporits
  • The historical origins of the visual characteristics of yūrei
  • Maruyama Okyo's influential depiction of yūrei
  • Kabuki's connection to and influence over the popular conception of what a yūrei looks like
  • Unfulfilled desire as the fuel and reason for existence of a yurei
  • The peace and prosperity of the Edo Period
  • The boom in ghost stories during the Edo Period
  • Cursed productions
  • The updated edition of Yurei: The Japanese Ghost
  • Recent projects that Zack Davisson has been working on
  • Shigeru Mizuki's adaptation of Tono Monogatari by Yangagida Kunio
  • The Amabie and its rise to prominence during the coronavirus pandemic
  • And much more!
Support on Patreon

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

Links, Videos, Etc.

You can use the link below to purchase Yurei: The Japanese Ghost on Amazon. The link is an Amazon affiliate link so using it will support the show without costing you anything extra.

Follow Zack Davisson on Twitter.

Read Zack Davisson's article about Shigeru Mizuki.

If you'd like to check out Kimito Designs, use the link below. Reminder: the 10% discount code is OPENING10 (valid until the end of 2020).

To listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan, use the link below.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Zack Davisson

Featured image: Courtesy of Zack Davisson

Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes

Avsnitt(213)

Why life in Aomori is so DIFFERENT | Japan Station 194

Why life in Aomori is so DIFFERENT | Japan Station 194

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about some of the unique aspects of living in Aomori Prefecture. 👉Topics Discussed What it's like living in Aomori Prefecture About the Shimokita Peninsula...

1 Feb 1h 3min

The CRAZIEST Taishō era slang EXPLAINED! | Japan Station 193

The CRAZIEST Taishō era slang EXPLAINED! | Japan Station 193

On this episode of Japan Station, we go through a list of some of the most unique and interesting slang of Japan's Taishō period (1912-1926). 👉Topics Discussed Popular Taishō era slang How polie du...

21 Jan 1h 4min

10 Reasons You'll Hate Living in Japan. Really? | Japan Station 192

10 Reasons You'll Hate Living in Japan. Really? | Japan Station 192

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: 10 Reasons You'll Hate Living in Japan. Really? Topics Discussed Reasons why you may hate living in Japan No trash cans Why there are few public trash cans in...

14 Jan 1h 14min

Okuribito: Mortician or millionaire? What does it mean? | Japaan Station 191

Okuribito: Mortician or millionaire? What does it mean? | Japaan Station 191

On this episode of Japan Station, I break down the two very different meanings of the word okuribito. 👉Topics Discussed About the 2008 Japanese film Departures (Okuribito) What does okuribito mean...

7 Jan 14min

How charcoal is saving this rural Japanese town (Ami Eldridge of Sumizumi LLC) | Japan Station 190

How charcoal is saving this rural Japanese town (Ami Eldridge of Sumizumi LLC) | Japan Station 190

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Ami Eldridge, the co-founder of Sumizumi LLC, a company in rural Kochi Prefecture trying to revitalize the area through charcoal production. 👉Topics Discus...

5 Jan 32min

Why "religion" in Japan doesn't make sense (to Westerners): A Talk with Hiroko Yoda | Japan Station 189

Why "religion" in Japan doesn't make sense (to Westerners): A Talk with Hiroko Yoda | Japan Station 189

On this episode of Japan Station, author Hiroko Yoda joins us to talk about the complexities of religious and spirituality in Japan, a topic she covers in her new book Eight Million Ways to Happiness....

31 Dec 202557min

What you should know about KUMAMON (+ my CRAZY Kumamon story) | Japan Station 188

What you should know about KUMAMON (+ my CRAZY Kumamon story) | Japan Station 188

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk all about Jaan's most famous "local mascot" Kumamon. We cover everything you should know about Kumamoto's most beloved bear. I also share an absolutely crazy ...

20 Dec 20251h 4min

Understanding Christmas in Japan (About Japanese Christmas) | Japan Station 187/Ichimon Japan 67

Understanding Christmas in Japan (About Japanese Christmas) | Japan Station 187/Ichimon Japan 67

This is a re-broadcast of episode 65 of the Ichimon Japan podcast (originally published on 12/21/2022). On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Christmas like in Japan? (About Japanese Christ...

9 Dec 20251h 4min

Populärt inom Utbildning

rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
historiepodden-se
det-skaver
alska-oss
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
nu-blir-det-historia
not-fanny-anymore
allt-du-velat-veta
rss-viktmedicinpodden
johannes-hansen-podcast
sektledare
roda-vita-rosen
rss-foraldramotet-bring-lagercrantz
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-max-tant-med-max-villman
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
vi-gar-till-historien
rss-npf-podden