71 episodes
Uncanny Japan - Japanese Folklore, Folktales, Myths and Language Thersa Matsuura
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- Places & Travel
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4.9 • 209 Ratings
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Speculative fiction writer, long-term resident of Japan and Bram Stoker Award finalist Thersa Matsuura explores all that is weird from Japan—strange superstitions, folklore and folktales, cultural oddities, and interesting language quirks. These are little treasures she digs up while doing research for her writing. Also check out her Soothing Stories Podcast!
Show notes and transcripts are available for most episodes at uncannyjapan.com
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Kan no Mushi: Adorable Parasites Living Inside Your Spine
Let me tell you why your toddler might cry at night and throw tantrums and what you can do to remedy. It could be a mythical parasite that lives in their spine. Any you might them, too.
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Sanzaru: Three Wise Monkeys and How They Can Help Extend Your Life
Everyone is familiar with the Three Wise Monkeys or as they're called in Japan Sanzaru (Three Monkeys). But did you know the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Say No Evil creatures are actually a Japanese play on words? They're also an important part of an old folk belief that has to do with three worms escaping your body and a large deity with six arms and a blue face who vows to protect you.
Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript. -
Cursed Swords That Want to Murder You (Youtou)
A Muramasa blade is one of exceptional quality and great bloodlust. It’s called a youtou (妖刀) in Japanese. Depending on how you translate that, it could mean cursed sword, mystic sword, or demon sword.
Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript. -
Enjoying the Luck of the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin)
In Japan the Shichifukujin or Seven Lucky Gods appear in a boat on the first day of the year to impart various kinds of luck on those they deem worthy.
Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript. -
Year of the Ox: Save Us All
The year 2021 is the Year of the Ox according to the animal zodiac. But what does that mean? On today's show I'll talk a little about the character of people born in this year, what to expect in 2021, and why the ox -- who should have been the first animal in the zodiac lineup -- got beaten by a rat.
...I also have a super special announcement.
Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript. -
Toshikoshi Soba: Breaking Off the Pain of 2020 with Noodles
Toshikoshi soba is the Japanese tradition of eating soba noodles on New Year's Eve. It's a custom that has continued since the 1700s. There are quite a few reasons why, some have to do with long life, wealth, and breaking off all the hardships from the previous year.
Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript.
Customer Reviews
My Favorite Podcast!
I'm so glad my friend recommended this podcast. It's been a year now and I still look forward to each new episode.
At the beginning, catching up on all the old episodes spoiled me, because I binge a few episodes at a time... now I must suffer through an arduous 2 weeks between episodes.
I was fortunate to have visited Japan 3 times and this podcast fuels my desire to return again once Japan's borders open.
A favorite
I recently discovered this podcast and can't help but binge it while commuting by train or simply walking to and from the store. The episodes are short but packed with information, and the host is both articulate and knowledgable (and has a perfect "radio" voice!). I look forward to new episodes every two weeks!
All things Japan rock!!! 👺🐉🏯🎏🎎
What happened to the transcripts? I could see them earlier today but now they are gone. Could you re-add the transcripts?
I love Japanese culture, especially the folklore, superstitions and everything this podcast covers. Your episode descriptions are sometimes a little hard to read all the way through because of the way it’s written. You repeat parts of sentences and sometimes leave out key words. I feel like I’m back in Latin and Spanish class reading a disorganized translated sentence. Other than that I real really really love it! Don’t stop making episodes!!
lol039 what does that translate to?
Do you or anyone else listening to this show know of any podcasts that cover the Deities of Japan? Like Izanami, Izanagi, Amaterasu and Susanoo and their descendants? I’m really into that right now as well. Thanks.