Today I'll read you Lafcadio Hearn's short story: The Mirror Maiden.  [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click... more

The two-faced, eight-limbed giant named Ryomen Sukuna has been around since very early Japan, still is he a Buddhism-protecting hero... more

You'll often see ghostly-looking dolls strung up in windows in Japan on rainy days. What do they mean and why... more

Abe no Seimei was the greatest onmyōji in Japan. While he lived in Kyoto, he visited Shizuoka at some point... more

A nanafushigi (seven mysterious things) and a local yokai, the Nami Kozō or Wave Boy has a number of variations... more

In Japan there are two types of Five Elements, the gogyo and the godai and you can find them all... more

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu! Happy New Year! This is Thersa Matsuura and you’re listening to Uncanny Japan, Season 8. We... more

Joya no Kane is the Buddhism tradition of ringing out the old year and ringing in the new one. Where... more

Shochikubai means "pine, bamboo, plum" and are considered the three winter friends. You'll find them in New Year decorations as... more

Today I’m going to do something a little different, again. I’m going to give you some real yōkai and paranormal... more