Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

Kai Honda
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"The dark side of Japan guidebooks hide." Welcome to the hidden side of Japan that guidebooks won't show you. Shadows of Japan is a narrative podcast exploring the eerie folklore, true crime, and spiritual history behind the "Cool Japan" facade. Hosted by Kai Honda, directly from Japan. From the child spirits haunting old inns (Zashiki Warashi) to the real-life rituals of cursing enemies, we peel back the layers of Japanese culture to reveal the darkness—and the beauty—underneath. This isn't just a ghost story; it's a deep dive into the Japanese psyche. 🎧 www.youtube.com/@KaiHonda-y7i

Episodes

  1. Feb 19

    Episode3 - The Real Ryomen Sukuna: Hero or Demon? & The Truth of Straw Doll Curses by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

    "If you curse someone, dig two graves."In the anime "Jujutsu Kaisen," Ryomen Sukuna is the ultimate villain. But in real Japanese history, he might have been a hero who saved his people.In this episode of Shadows of Japan, host Kai Honda travels to the mountains of Gifu Prefecture to uncover the true legend of the "Two-Faced Demon."We also investigate the terrifying ritual of "Ushi no Koku Mairi" (The Visit at the Hour of the Ox). Why do police officers in Japan still find straw dolls nailed to sacred trees in 2026? The answer lies in the ancient Japanese belief in "Kotodama" (Spirit of Words). 👻 In this episode:- The chilling sound of the hammer at 2 AM.- Ryomen Sukuna in the "Nihon Shoki" vs. Local Folklore.- How to perform a Japanese curse (and the terrible price you pay).- The philosophy of "Digging Two Graves." 🗺️ Visit the Legend (Sukuna Pilgrimage):Want to walk in the footsteps of the real Ryomen Sukuna?We recommend staying overnight in the deep mountains of Gifu to truly feel the atmosphere of the "Hero" Sukuna. 🏩 Recommended Stays Near the Legend: 🏨Stay near Senkou-ji Temple (Sukuna's Home): https://expedia.com/affiliates/banyan-tree-higashiyama-kyoto.SbRwD0v 🏨 Deep Mountain Hot Springs (Okuhida Onsen): https://expedia.com/affiliates/takayama-hotels-okuhida-garden-hotel-yakedake.rYZRTm9 🏨Historic Takayama City Stays: https://expedia.com/affiliates/takayama-hotels-hotel-around-takayama.lntbEwO 🍶 Support the Show & Buy Kai a Sake:If you enjoyed this deep dive into Japanese curses, help us summon more stories! https://buymeacoffee.com/kaihonda 🎙️ About the Podcast:Shadows of Japan explores the folklore, urban legends, and hidden history behind the "Cool Japan" you think you know. Hosted by Kai Honda. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyjJEIKFX9QbO9HN1dEZ3A

    Episode3 - The Real Ryomen Sukuna: Hero or Demon? & The Truth of Straw Doll Curses by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

  2. Feb 19

    Episode2 - The Living Dolls: From Cursed Objects to Tsukumogami by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

    Why does the hair of the "Okiku Doll" keep growing?In Episode 2, Kai Honda explores the "Uncanny Valley" of Japanese culture. We dive into the concept of "Tsukumogami" (spirits inhabiting objects)—a philosophy that explains everything from ancient doll funerals to modern sustainability.We travel from the snowy temples of Hokkaido to the fire rituals of Wakayama to understand why Japanese people treat objects as living things. 🍶 Support the Show & Buy Kai a Sake:https://buymeacoffee.com/kaihonda 🗺️ Travel Recommendations:**Planning a pilgrimage to these spiritual sites? 🏨HeiseikanKaiyotei: https://expedia.com/affiliates/hakodate-hotels-heiseikan-kaiyotei.gUTzxq9 🏨Takasago Onsen: https://expedia.com/affiliates/asahikawa-hotels-takasago-onsen.J2ruCfv 🎙️ About the Podcast:Shadows of Japan explores the folklore, urban legends, and hidden history behind the "Cool Japan" you think you know. Hosted by Kai Honda. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Japanese culture! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyjJEIKFX9QbO9HN1dEZ3A#Japanese History #Yokai #Ghost Stories #Shinto #Buddhism #Pop Culture #Travel Japan.

    Episode2 - The Living Dolls: From Cursed Objects to Tsukumogami by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

  3. Feb 19

    Episode1 - Why Japanese People Pay to Sleep in Haunted Rooms (The Zashiki Warashi Legend) by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan

    Imagine waking up at 2 AM in an old Japanese inn to find a child watching you. In the West, this is a horror movie. In Japan, this ghost brings ultimate fortune... but at a terrible price.In this first episode of Shadows of Japan, host Kai Honda explores the legend of the Zashiki Warashi (座敷童). We travel to the deep mountains of Iwate Prefecture to uncover why modern business owners still flock to these "haunted rooms," and reveal the tragic history of poverty and "Mabiki" (infanticide) that birthed this folklore. 👻 In this episode, you will learn:- What is a Zashiki Warashi? (The ghost you WANT to meet)- The connection between popular Anime spirits and ancient folklore.- The dark historical reality of "Mabiki" in rural Japan.- Why Japanese spirits are "Ambivalent" (both good and evil). 🗺️ Visit the Legend (Travel Guide):Want to stay at the legendary "Ryokan" mentioned in the story?Check out these links to plan your trip to Iwate Prefecture:Recommended Ryokan: 🏨KashinteiShirahama https://expedia.com/affiliates/senboku-hotels-kashintei-shirahama.PnBNssa 🏨Zuisenkyo https://expedia.com/affiliates/ichinoseki-hotels-zuisenkyo.7pJOdB9 🍶 Creating Shadows of Japan involves traveling to remote locations and digging through ancient archives. If you want to support independent storytelling and help us uncover more dark history, please consider supporting the show on 'Buy Me a Coffee'. Every dollar goes directly into researching the next mystery.https://buymeacoffee.com/kaihonda 🎙️ About the Podcast:Shadows of Japan explores the folklore, urban legends, and hidden history behind the "Cool Japan" you think you know. Hosted by Kai Honda. 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Japanese culture! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmyjJEIKFX9QbO9HN1dEZ3A#Japan #Folklore #Yokai #JapaneseHistory #HorrorStories #ZashikiWarashi #DeepJapan

    Episode1 - Why Japanese People Pay to Sleep in Haunted Rooms (The Zashiki Warashi Legend) by Kai Honda - Shadows of Japan
  • 3 Episodes

About

"The dark side of Japan guidebooks hide." Welcome to the hidden side of Japan that guidebooks won't show you. Shadows of Japan is a narrative podcast exploring the eerie folklore, true crime, and spiritual history behind the "Cool Japan" facade. Hosted by Kai Honda, directly from Japan. From the child spirits haunting old inns (Zashiki Warashi) to the real-life rituals of cursing enemies, we peel back the layers of Japanese culture to reveal the darkness—and the beauty—underneath. This isn't just a ghost story; it's a deep dive into the Japanese psyche. 🎧 www.youtube.com/@KaiHonda-y7i

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