Épisodes

  • A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)

    A Handful of Deadly Beach Beauties (Ep. 177)
    Sep 2 2025
    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 authentic ocean waves Richard and I recorded while researching this episode, plus stories from the Edo period about encounters with these shape-shifting entities who use beauty as their weapon. Featured yōkai: iso-onna (coastal woman), nure-onna (wet woman) [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    27 min
  • Introducing Uncanny Japan

    Introducing Uncanny Japan
    Aug 13 2025
    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. Uncanny Japan is a uniquely soothing podcast 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, folklorist, and graduate of the Clarion West workshop. Drawing on her over thirty years of living in Japan, she is the author of The Book of Japanese Folklore and the creator of the Uncanny Japan Podcast. Her horror short story collection The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. Her forthcoming works include the Yokai Oracle Deck (Fall, 2025) and Legends of Japanese Mythology (Eyes Wide Editions, 2026). Websites Uncanny Japan Podcast - https://uncannyjapan.com/ Thersa Matsuura - https://thersamatsuura.com/ Books (These links are affiliate, which means I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.) The Japanese Book of Folklore - https://amzn.to/4mhPeDq The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales (audio book read by Thersa) - https://amzn.to/411758Z A Robe of Feathers and Other Stories - https://amzn.to/4ouci32 Yōkai Oracle Deck (pre order) - https://amzn.to/3HrZ0n1 Youtube Uncanny Japan - https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Thersa Matsuura - https://www.youtube.com/@ThersaMatsuura Social Media Discord - ⁠https://discord.com/invite/XdMZTzmyUb⁠ Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/uncannyjapan.bsky.social Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Merch Dashery - https://uncannyjapanmerch.dashery.com/ Threadless - https://uncannyjapan.threadless.com/ Support Us Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/thersamatsuura Buy me a Coffee - https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Music by Julyan Ray - https://instagram.com/julyan_ray Uncanny Japan Mascot Modeled by Futemimi - https://vervain-shop.booth.pm/ Uncanny Japan Logo by Travis Carter - ⁠https://www.travispixels.com/⁠ About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 min
  • Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & 49-Day Death Journey (Ep. 176)

    Japanese Afterlife Guide: Navigate Buddhist Hell & 49-Day Death Journey (Ep. 176)
    Aug 13 2025
    What does Japanese Buddhism suggest happens after death? I found these traditional afterlife concepts fascinating and wanted to share what I've discovered about the 49-day underworld journey, the role of Emma-ō as judge of the dead, and the complex six realms of reincarnation. This episode explores Japanese Buddhist death beliefs that treat dying as the beginning of an intricate spiritual bureaucracy. I've learned about the karma assessment system, the fearsome judgment ceremonies, and traditional perspectives on navigating to a favorable rebirth. I talk about these traditions that have influenced Japanese culture for centuries. What aspects of death and afterlife have you encountered in other traditions? I'd love to hear your perspectives. Episode Chapters: (00:00) Introduction & SpectreVision Announcement (05:15) Japanese Death Journey Overview (12:30) Buddhist Hell Concepts & Emma-ō Judge (20:45) The 49-Day Underworld Navigation (28:20) Karma Assessment & Reincarnation (35:40) Practical Hell Avoidance Strategies (41:15) Modern Buddhist Death Beliefs [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • Taira no Masakado: The First Samurai's Flying Head & Tokyo's Cursed Shrine (Ep. 175)

    Taira no Masakado: The First Samurai's Flying Head & Tokyo's Cursed Shrine (Ep. 175)
    Aug 2 2025
    Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wondering who Japan's first samurai was? And then maybe wondering if severed heads can actually fly? Well, that's exactly what I want to talk to you about today. Today I'm going to tell you about the fierce, the legendary, the wild Taira no Masakado, who has been dubbed the first samurai. Was he a bad guy? Was he a good guy? And yes, we'll get into airborne heads too, and curses. You know how Japan loves making lists of three great things? One of them is "Sandai Onyo" - Three Great Vengeful Spirits - and one of those angry spirits is Taira no Masakado. His story is wild: a 10th-century warrior with royal blood who defended peasants, conquered eight provinces, got his head cut off, and then that head refused to decay. For three months it sat in Kyoto's marketplace, glowing and calling out for its body, before flying 200 miles home to what would become Tokyo. I'll tell you about the cursed head mound that still stands today, the mysterious deaths of anyone who dares disturb it, and why you'll find frog statues there. My mother-in-law gave me a frog charm ages ago. (I lost it.) Come with me as I share this incredible story of Japan's first samurai and his supernatural legacy. [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 min
  • Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse & Finding Peace with Uncertainty (Ep. 174)

    Saiō ga Uma: The Old Man's Horse & Finding Peace with Uncertainty (Ep. 174)
    Jun 26 2025
    It's very strange, but this ancient Japanese proverb "Saiō ga Uma" has been popping up in my thoughts a lot lately. I kept hearing it mentioned in articles and audiobooks, so I thought I'd read about it more and share what I discovered. "Saiō ga Uma" (塞翁が馬) means "the old man's horse" - it comes from a 2,000-year-old Chinese parable about a man whose seemingly good and bad fortunes are never what they first appear. His horse runs away, the villagers say "how unlucky." But Saiō says "who's to say what's good and what's bad?" The horse returns with another horse. "How fortunate!" But again, Saiō wonders if this might actually be a disaster. I share the full story and talk about why this wisdom has been resonating with me, especially after my hospital stay earlier this year. Sometimes what looks like misfortune - even something as mundane as spilling tea in the fridge - might actually be exactly what we need. Come with me as we explore this fascinating piece of Japanese wisdom and how it connects to finding peace with life's uncertainty. [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 min
  • Myth Tales Vol. 2: The Wonderfully Unhinged Susanoo (Ep. 173)

    Myth Tales Vol. 2: The Wonderfully Unhinged Susanoo (Ep. 173)
    Jun 9 2025
    In this second installment of Myth Tales, I explore the wonderfully chaotic journey of Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the Shinto storm god whose emotional outbursts literally shook heaven and earth. Born from his father Izanagi's purification ritual, Susanoo embodies the raw, untamed power of storms and seas. What makes Susanoo so fascinating is his deeply human emotional volatility. Here's a deity who throws cosmic tantrums that cause his sister Amaterasu (the sun goddess) to hide in a cave, plunging the world into darkness. Yet through exile and genuine challenge, this same tempestuous god transforms into a hero - ultimately slaying the legendary eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi and discovering the sacred sword Kusanagi within its body. I'll take you through Susanoo's complete character arc: from his traumatic birth through water purification, his destructive family conflicts in heaven, his redemptive exile to earth, and his epic battle with one of mythology's most terrifying monsters. Along the way, we'll explore how these ancient stories speak to universal human experiences of emotional struggle, sibling rivalry, and the possibility of positive transformation. Join me as I share what I find most compelling about this complex deity whose stories reveal profound truths about channeling destructive power into protective heroism. [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 min
  • Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)

    Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)
    May 24 2025
    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 tsuyu, the rainy season, and all that entails. In this episode, I explore Japan's most dreaded time of year - the humid, moldy, relentlessly gray weeks of tsuyu. From the architecture designed to combat moisture to the rain spirits that emerge during this soggy season, here's what you need to know about Japan's overlooked fifth season. You'll discover why traditional Japanese houses have those beautiful transom windows, meet the mischievous amefurikozo with his umbrella hat, learn about people who bring rain wherever they go, and find out how to predict weather using cats and swallows. Plus, I'll share the surprising beauty hidden within the gloom - from hydrangea festivals to sacred tea ceremonies. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or just curious about this unique cultural experience, this episode reveals why tsuyu is both the most miserable and most essential season in the Japanese calendar. [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 min
  • Tōdaiki: The Truly Horrific Tale of the Candlestick Demon (Ep. 171)

    Tōdaiki: The Truly Horrific Tale of the Candlestick Demon (Ep. 171)
    May 7 2025
    It didn't hit me how apt today's topic is to what's going on until I was a little into writing it. I just have always liked this very creepy old horror story and wanted to introduce it here. I'm sharing two fascinating tales that show the extreme ends of cultural exchange between Japan and Tang Dynasty China. The first is called Tōdaiki, or Candlestick Demon - a truly disturbing story about what happens when diplomatic missions go horrifically wrong. The second is Minister Kibi's Adventures in China, which is less harrowing and more silly and bizarre. Both involve real historical figures who traveled to China back when these journeys took months or years and were incredibly dangerous. Ships weren't very big, there was no sophisticated navigational equipment, and you had a good chance of ending up sunk to the bottom of the ocean.In the Tōdaiki story, when young Hitsu no Saisho travels to China searching for his missing father, he discovers him transformed into a living candlestick holder through dark magic - covered in tattoos, with wax dripping down his face, able only to write poems in his own blood. Then I share the much lighter adventures of Minister Kibi, who uses magical powers and clever tricks to outwit his Chinese hosts through increasingly absurd tests. Both stories reveal the incredible risks and cultural tensions that shaped Japan's relationship with China during this crucial period. [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 artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon 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, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    24 min