Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends

Tara A. Devlin
  • 4.9 (113)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Toshiden is a biweekly show in which horror author and translator Tara A. Devlin explores various urban legends from Japan. From Kuchisake-onna's long history to the hidden meaning behind convenience store toilet signs, we explore it all and look at how they came about and why they became a legend in the first place.

  1. Manager of Time & Space

    JAN 16

    Manager of Time & Space

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! This guy (or gal) is said to send people back to the correct time and space when they find themselves somewhere they shouldn’t be, but who exactly is he? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    16 min
  2. The Curse of Taira no Masakado’s Grave

    JAN 2

    The Curse of Taira no Masakado’s Grave

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! This historical grave still stands today in the heart of Tokyo, but why has it never been moved? What happens when people try? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    11 min
  3. Peko-chan’s Horrifying Truth

    12/19/2025

    Peko-chan’s Horrifying Truth

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Some legends claim this famous and beloved mascot has a horrifying truth hidden in her origins, but what’s really going on here? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    11 min
  4. Square

    12/05/2025

    Square

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! If you play this game you might suddenly find an extra person in your midst, but how did the idea for this game really come about, and what on earth does it actually summon? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    14 min
  5. Cursed Mask

    11/21/2025

    Cursed Mask

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! This mask is said to be one of the most dangerous masks in all existence, but what is it, where did it come from, and what will happen if you look upon it? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    14 min
  6. Ganbo Rock Calendar

    11/07/2025

    Ganbo Rock Calendar

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! This calendar was said to be so cursed that it was recalled en masse, never to be seen again. But did it really exist, and why was it cursed in the first place? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    10 min
  7. Tachibana Ayumi

    10/24/2025

    Tachibana Ayumi

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! This chain mail was all the rage in the early 2000s, but how did it come about, was there any truth to it, and how did it become the “standard” for many that followed? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    12 min
  8. Kokeshi Dolls

    10/10/2025

    Kokeshi Dolls

    Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! These days, kokeshi dolls have numerous urban legends associated with them, but how did this simple children’s toy garner such a dark and mysterious history? BGM thanks to Myuuji, Kevin MacLeod and CO.AG. Sound effects thanks to Free Sound and freeSFX. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Support Toshiden: Exploring Japanese Urban Legends by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/toshiden

    12 min
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4.9
out of 5
113 Ratings

About

Toshiden is a biweekly show in which horror author and translator Tara A. Devlin explores various urban legends from Japan. From Kuchisake-onna's long history to the hidden meaning behind convenience store toilet signs, we explore it all and look at how they came about and why they became a legend in the first place.

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