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PODCAST

Uncanny Japan

SpectreVision Radio

Uncanny Japan is a podcast about all the more obscure corners of old Japan, from strange superstitions, cultural curiosities, to creepy creatures. Here you can discover all the lesser known gems that author Thersa Matsuura digs up while doing research for her writing. Every episode is uniquely soothing, brought to life by immersive sound design or relaxing binaural soundscapes (ocean waves, autumn crickets, rice field frogs) all recorded right here in Japan. Thersa Matsuura is a writer,

society & culture books

All Episodes

32:28

Tsukimono: Possessed by an Animal (Ep. 187)

Uncanny Japan ·

2026/04/07

What is tsukimono? In Japanese culture, it’s the unsettling idea of possession—when a human or animal spirit attaches itself to you and usually does harm.In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I explore animal possession: foxes, dogs, snakes, and even horses that cling to people for reasons both known and unknowable. What causes it? How can you tell if someone is possessed? And what happens when superstition crosses into real-world harm? I talk about real eerie (and sometimes silly) historical

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21:57

Takiyasha Hime & the Gashadokuro: Japan's Frog-Riding...

Uncanny Japan ·

2026/03/17

A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in ways you might not expect.In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime, daughter of the infamous Taira no Masakado, and the terrifying Gashadokuro. How did a princess become a sorceress? What kind of magic involves frogs? And is that famous skeleton in Kuniyoshi's print really what everyone thinks it is? I even found the actual spell she

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16:25

Why the Year of the Fire Horse is Dreaded in Japan...

Uncanny Japan ·

2026/02/16

2026 is the year of the fire horse—a year that happens only once every 60 years. Across East Asia, it symbolizes transformation, intensity, and bold action. But in Japan? It's feared. Birth rates actually plummet during fire horse years because of a superstition that dates back to Edo-era Japan.What does a cursed kimono that burned down 70% of a city have to do with this? And why was a young girl named Oshichi burned at the stake in 1666? Come with me as I explore the tragic story behind this

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26:23

Osechi: Japanese New Year Food Traditions (Ep. 184)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/12/09

What if the meal sitting in those beautiful lacquered boxes held messages from the gods?In Japan, osechi-ryōri isn't just New Year's food—it's a sacred offering. Each dish carries specific wishes: black beans for health, herring roe for prosperity, lotus root for clear vision into the future. Families prepare them before midnight, then rest for three days while Toshigami-sama, the deity of the coming year, visits every home. But why can't you use knives during the first three days? What happens

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30:46

Japanese Moon Lore: Selfless Rabbits, Murdered...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/11/20

Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears.In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through China and transformed along the way. In this episode we explore Tsukimi moon-viewing traditions, the violent origin of the moon god Tsukuyomi, protective pompous grass rituals, and dozens of poetic names for moonlight—from the "moon you can stand and wait for" to the

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30:51

Hōichi the Earless: A Lafcadio Hearn Reading (Ep. 182)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/11/04

A blind musician is summoned to perform in the darkness. But who is listening? And what terrible price awaits a moment's oversight?Today I read to you one of Lafcadio Hearn's most famous Japanese ghost stories: "Mimi-nashi Hōichi" or "The Earless Hōichi." Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my

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26:55

What Empty Spaces Need (Audio Drama) (Ep. 181)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/10/31

🎃 HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 🎃This year's Halloween episode is a full-length audio drama based on the urban legend of Sukima-onna—the woman who watches from the gaps. An American English teacher in Japan loses everything: his job, his apartment, his passport. Drunk and desperate during a snowstorm, he finds shelter in an abandoned house. But he's not alone. Something lives in the cracks, the spaces between things. And it's been waiting for him. Content Warning and Huge Spoilers, do not read unless

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27:58

Ame-onna - Rain Woman's Original Ghost Story (Ep. 180)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/10/21

We're getting closer to Halloween. How about another ghost story?Ame-onna, the rain woman - a haggard looking thing, soaked to the bone, wandering rainy nights. There's lore about her, rumors, theories... but she doesn't have her own ghost story. So I fixed that. First, I'll tell you the fascinating history: from Toriyama Sekien's 18th century yokai art (where she secretly represented courtesans) to the evolution into a grief-stricken mother searching for her stolen child. The Chinese literary

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35:05

Japan's Most Famous Ghost: My Retelling of Oiwa and...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/10/07

It's October. Time to pull a blanket around your shoulders, light a candle against the dark, and listen to a good old-fashioned ghost story.There are many versions of the tragic tale of Japan's most famous ghost, Oiwa-san. But today, let me tell you my own retelling of her classic tale. I told the story of Yotsuya Kaidan back in episode 42, but for this episode I rewrote the tale, telling it like a short story. The most famous version was a kabuki play written by Tsuruya Namboku IV called

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26:55

Sanshi: The Three Body-Parasite Problem (Ep. 178)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/09/16

I finally got to go on a walk again after all the oppressive August heat. I live around rice fields, mostly. There are some houses, of course, along the main road, and then every so often, a knee-high stone tower or stele. These are called kōshintō. What I found particularly intriguing was how these connect to some rather unsettling beliefs about spiritual parasites. According to the traditions I discovered, we have three of these sanshi living inside our bodies. Come with me as I explore how

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26:35

A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/09/02

Japan's summer heat is inescapable, driving people to seek relief at the beach. But what if I told you there are supernatural dangers lurking along Japan's 14,125 islands that make rip currents seem harmless?In this episode, I share what I discovered about two particularly deceptive coastal yōkai: the iso-onna (coastal woman) who drains visitors of their blood, and the terrifying nure-onna - part woman, part massive snake, who uses cunning tricks to lure unsuspecting beach-goers. You'll hear

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46:53

Your Guide to the Afterlife in Japan

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/08/13

So, you’ve died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells. Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny,

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18:07

A Cursed Severed Head: Taira no Masakado (Ep. 175)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/07/09

Ever wonder who Japan's first samurai was? Or whether severed heads can actually fly? This episode has both answers in the incredible story of Taira no Masakado - a legendary 10th-century warrior who became one of Japan's Three Great Vengeful Spirits. Discover the supernatural tale of his severed head that refused to decay, the three months it spent on display in Kyoto's marketplace, and its legendary flight back to what would become Tokyo. Learn about the cursed head mound that still stands

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14:57

Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse (Ep. 174)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/06/26

This episode delves into the ancient Japanese proverb, "Ningen Banji Saio ga Uma" (Everything in life is like Sai's horse). It introduces the 2,000-year-old Chinese parable of an old man whose seemingly good and bad fortunes are never what they first appear. From a runaway horse to a son's injury, the story reveals the shortsightedness of our immediate judgments. Let's explore the multiple layers of this timeless tale, discuss how it teaches humility, the acceptance of uncertainty, and the wisdom of

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24:42

Myth Tales Vol. 2: The Wonderfully Unhinged Susanoo...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/06/09

This second installment of Myth Tales dives into the wild, chaotic life of Susanoo — Japan's tempestuous god of storms and sea. From being birthed out of a sneeze to slaying a monstrous eight-headed dragon, Susanoo’s mythos is as thrilling as it is unhinged. If you like gods with a flair for drama and destruction (and a redemption arc to boot), you’ll love this episode. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no

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20:04

Tsuyu: The Dreaded Fifth Season in Japan (Ep. 172)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/05/24

Don't let anyone tell you Japan has four distinct seasons. You'll hear that a lot. But it's not true. Japan actually has five seasons. Everyone forgets... [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

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20:28

Tōdaiki: The Truly Horrific Tale of the Candlestick...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/05/07

Two tales of travel that went awry. The first is the gruesome story of "Tōdaik" ("The Candlestick Demon") and the second a sillier legend of "Minister Kibi's Adventures in China". [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

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26:35

Story Time: "Readings from the Dream Book" by...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/04/22

Terrie reads Lafcadio Hearn's metaphysical story "Readings from a Dream-book," a collection of ethereal fragments that explore the nature of consciousness, mortality, and cosmic existence. [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

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21:29

Harnessing the Power of the Dragon God: Ryūjin (Ep. 169)

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/04/08

Join Thersa on a journey aboard a magical sea turtle down to the underwater palace of Ryūjin, the Japanese Dragon God. Explore the the Ryūgūjō Castle, meet its mythical inhabitants, and delve into the powerful lore surrounding this deity. Discover Ryūjin's abilities to control tides, grant wishes, and ward off evil, and learn practical ways you might connect with the spirit of the Dragon God, from ancient prayers to modern talismans. Click here for Adventure Travel inspiration from our friends at

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17:30

Mt. Fuji: A Fire Resistant Princess and a Sword...

Uncanny Japan ·

2025/03/22

Ad-free versions of episodes are available to Patrons. Thank you for your support and helping us pay the bills. We couldn't do this without you! --Rich, the sound guy. Explore the fascinating legends surrounding Japan's most iconic mountain. Discover the extraordinary myth of Konohana Sakuya Hime, the stunningly beautiful goddess of Mt. Fuji who gave birth amid flames, and the bizarre tale of En no Gyōja, a mountain ascetic with supernatural powers who could hop between mountain peaks and lick

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190 results

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