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.
…
continue reading
Learn Japanese from the experience of learning and living in Japan. Master the basics and join the journey.
…
continue reading
Helping you better understand Japan and the Japanese language one question at a time. Every episode Tony and Ryan--two guys with master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics--draw on their experiences in Japan and extensive research in both Japanese and English to shed light on all aspects of Japan. From the many interesting quirks of the Japanese language to obscure Japanese history, as well as busting misconceptions about Japan held by both Japanese peole and Westerners, Tony and Ry ...
…
continue reading
1
Sea Pigs and Dirt Dragons - Enticing Language (Ep. 160)
16:52
16:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:52
Sea Pigs and Dirt Dragons — Enticing Language and a Quiz! From Thersa Matsuura's Bram Stoker Award-nominated short story collection "The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales", now available as an audiobook everywhere. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional…
…
continue reading
Okappa, a young woman living in a town ravaged by disease, encounters a traveling performer, Hanshiro, and his monkey, Fukumimi. WARNING: This story starts out explicit without using explicit language. It's not for children who are old enough to read between the lines. From Thersa Matsuura's Bram Stoker Award-nominated short story collection "The C…
…
continue reading
1
Lafcadio Hearn's Haunting Story, Botan Dōrō: The Peony Lantern (Ep. 158)
23:03
23:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:03
Follow the tragic tale of Hagiwara, a young samurai from Edo in this retelling of Lafcadio Hearn's "The Peony Lantern". [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 Bo…
…
continue reading
1
Japan's Three Great Ghost Stories (Ep. 157)
13:33
13:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:33
Japan’s Three Great Ghost Stories, featuring vengeful female spirits, have captivated audiences for centuries through various art forms, including ukiyo-e prints and modern horror films. [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 Ja…
…
continue reading
1
Supernatural Trees Part 1: Bloodthirsty and Cursed (Ep. 156)
16:14
16:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:14
Japanese folklore features various tree spirits, like Kodama protectors and Jubokko bloodsuckers, with camellias shifting from auspicious to ominous. [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 …
…
continue reading
1
A Skit and a Caterpillar Cult: Tokoyo no Kami (Ep. 155)
18:02
18:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
18:02
An old timey audio drama skit/book promo and the strange caterpillar cult called Tokoyo no Kami. [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…
…
continue reading
1
Moshi Moshi! You're About to Meet Some Demons! (Ep. 154)
16:13
16:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:13
Two fascinating phrases in Japanese that have very creepy origins. What are you really doing when you answer the phone "moshi moshi" anyway? [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 b…
…
continue reading
1
The Tragic (or not?) Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime (Ep. 153)
17:25
17:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:25
The Tale of Anchin and Kiyohime is an epic story of love, betrayal, and transformation into a serpent dragon, but there are several versions of this classic. [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…
…
continue reading
1
Hokkaido Yōkai and Mythical Creatures (Ep. 152)
14:10
14:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:10
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 inc…
…
continue reading
1
Chopsticks: Godly Tools or Death Bringers? ( Ep. 151)
19:38
19:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:38
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 li…
…
continue reading
1
The Dangerous Truth about the Jorō Spider (Ep. 150)
16:02
16:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
16:02
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. Chec…
…
continue reading
1
Beto Beto-san Vs Teke Teke: Things That Stalk You at Night (Ep. 149)
19:44
19:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:44
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 lim…
…
continue reading
This is the last episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast! But don't worry, the show isn't really ending! Topics Discussed Why I decided to end Ichimon Japan And much more! Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can joi…
…
continue reading
1
Bug News: Body Parasites or Ghosts (Mushi no Shirase)? (Ep. 148)
14:30
14:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:30
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 T…
…
continue reading