155 episodes

Speculative fiction writer, long-term resident of Japan and Bram Stoker Award finalist Thersa Matsuura explores all that is weird from old Japan—strange superstitions, folktales, cultural oddities, and interesting language quirks. These are little treasures she digs up while doing research for her writing.

Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language Uncanny Productions

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 340 Ratings

Speculative fiction writer, long-term resident of Japan and Bram Stoker Award finalist Thersa Matsuura explores all that is weird from old Japan—strange superstitions, folktales, cultural oddities, and interesting language quirks. These are little treasures she digs up while doing research for her writing.

    Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures

    Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures

    The northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido, also has its own brand of yōkai and mythical creatures. Here I talk about seven of them.
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 14 min
    Ohashi: Godly Tools or Death Bringers?

    Ohashi: Godly Tools or Death Bringers?

    Discover the intricacies of Japanese chopstick etiquette and lore. Learn about godly chopsticks, taboos that can bring death, and the concept of 'wa' (harmony) in Japanese culture. Avoid social faux pas and deepen your understanding of this seemingly simple yet complex utensil.
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 19 min
    The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider

    The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider

    The joro spider, a colorful arachnid from Japan, is harmless but tied to folklore about shape-shifting brides who fatally ensnare lovers at waterfalls.
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 16 min
    Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night

    Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night

    Listeners who are sensitive to these topics should be aware that the episode contains potentially disturbing content:

    TRIGGER WARNINGS: Blood & gore depiction, Body horror, Childhood Trauma, Death from exposure, Death from falling, Death of a child, Death and dying, Decapitation, Fear and anxiety, Graphic content, Injury and mutilation, Loss of limb, Mayonnaise as a pizza topping, Mental distress, Physical injuries, Supernatural and horror elements, Suicide, Violence, War

    If you're ever walking alone on an empty street or path at night and you hear something distinctly not human following you, could it be the Beto Beto-san or the Teke Teke? One will take your life in the most horrendous way. 
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 19 min
    Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)?

    Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)?

    Have you ever had a premonition or a foreboding feeling that turned out to be true? Was it a parasitic insect living in your belly or a ghost trying to tell you something?
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 14 min
    Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?

    Falling Trees: Tengu or Furusoma (Creepy Dead Guy)?

    If a you hear a tree fall in the woods, but can't find any sign of that fallen tree, is it the work of a tengu, a creepy dead guy ghost, or something else?
    [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.]
    Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Check out her books including The Book of Japanese Folklore by clicking on the Amazon link.  If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon.
    Discord: https://discord.gg/XdMZTzmyUb
    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura
    Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social
    Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/
    Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thersa-Matsuura/e/B002CWZ73Y/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1500180689&sr=8-1
    Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan
    Credits Intro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

    • 12 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
340 Ratings

340 Ratings

7th Grade Greek nerd ,

I love the podcast and the book of Japanese folklore

I have read the book and love it 5/5. I love the podcast 5/5

jenniwren13 ,

Great fun and well done

I love all things Japan, and hope to visit someday. Meanwhile, this podcast offers the culture, ambience, history and humor I’m looking for. I highly recommend this podcast!

Jpngs ,

Great!

Love learning about so many aspects of Japanese folklore. A little difficult to hear in a few episodes here and there as there are often ambient/background sound, but I found that it works best on headphones in a quiet environment. Really immersive that way.

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