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)

What are gyaru? (About the Slang, Fashion and History of Japan's Gyaru/Gal) | Japan Station 157/Ichimon Japan 52

What are gyaru? (About the Slang, Fashion and History of Japan's Gyaru/Gal) | Japan Station 157/Ichimon Japan 52

This episode of Japan Station is a re-broadcast of episode 52 of Ichimon Japan. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are gyaru? Topics Discussed What the term gyaru/gal means/refers to Abo...

15 Maj 20251h 6min

Telling Time in the Edo Period! Obscure Japanese Vocabulary & Etymology | Japan Station 156

Telling Time in the Edo Period! Obscure Japanese Vocabulary & Etymology | Japan Station 156

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about vocabulary and phrases related to telling time during the Edo Period! This is a surprisingly deep and interesting topic no matter whether you're l...

6 Maj 202523min

Japan's DEADLY Treat: MOCHI Explained! | Japan Station 155

Japan's DEADLY Treat: MOCHI Explained! | Japan Station 155

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about one of Japan's most iconic foods: mochi. Learn all about the history, lore and consumption practices of this important Japanese food! 👉Topics Dis...

1 Maj 202547min

Supernatural Stories from JAPAN (Kevin O'Shea) | Japan Station 154

Supernatural Stories from JAPAN (Kevin O'Shea) | Japan Station 154

On this episode of Japan Station, supernatural stories, Japanese folklore, Japanese urban legends and more with Kevin O'Shea, host of the Supernatural Japan podcast. 👉Topics Discussed About the Sup...

20 Apr 202547min

Eikaiwa vs JET vs University Teaching: Which is the better English teaching job in Japan? | Japan Station 153 (Rebroadcast)

Eikaiwa vs JET vs University Teaching: Which is the better English teaching job in Japan? | Japan Station 153 (Rebroadcast)

Originally released on 3/21/2024 as pisode 80 of Ichimon Japan. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about what the best kind of English teaching in Japan is: Eikaiwa, JET Programme (ALT) or unive...

13 Apr 202557min

How a J-Pop Star's Stomach Hair Resulted in a NEW Japanese Word (The Origins of Gyarandu/ギャランドゥ) | Japan Station 152

How a J-Pop Star's Stomach Hair Resulted in a NEW Japanese Word (The Origins of Gyarandu/ギャランドゥ) | Japan Station 152

On this episode of Japan Station, I dig into the history of a fascinating example of Japanese slang: gyarandu (ギャランドゥ). This is a Japanese word that means refers to the patch of hair some people have ...

9 Apr 202523min

Preserving Japan's SHOKUNIN Culture (Michael Magers) | Japan Station 151

Preserving Japan's SHOKUNIN Culture (Michael Magers) | Japan Station 151

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to photographer and journalist Michael Magers. Michael has spent over a decade documenting shokunin (artisans/crafworkers) across Japan. During that time has h...

1 Apr 20251h 4min

What it's like running a bar in TOKYO! (Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky) | Japan Station 150

What it's like running a bar in TOKYO! (Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky) | Japan Station 150

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo,...

22 Mars 202543min

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