The Connection Between Water and the Underworld

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about the Japanese vengeful spirits known as onryō with Jennifer Yoo.

About Jennifer Yoo

Jennifer M. Yoo is a doctoral candidate in Japanese Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Topics Discussed

• On working as a food tour guide in Kyoto
• What tsunokakushi is and the origins of this custom
• About the term oni (demon) and its historical origins
• About Ushi no Koku Mairi and the link between oni and kimon
• What onryō (vengeful spirits/wrathful spirits) are
• Differences between male and female onryō
• How male onryō are often historically/politically important figures
• The difference between yūrei and onryō
• About Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin)
• Depictions of onryō in Japanese theater
• About modern onryō in Japanese horror films
• The impact of the original Ringu film
• The motivations of classic female onryō
• The lack of motive in modern female onryō depicted in Japanese horror films
• About Sadako from Ringu
• The prevalence of the Sadako style ghost in films
• About the term "dead wet girls"
• The role of water in Shinto and Buddhism, beliefs about death and onryō
• The long hair of onryō and its historical roots in kabuki theater
• About deadly hair in Japanese horror films
• About the 2007 Japanese horror film Exte (Ekusute)
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

Here is the video of the presentation Jennifer Yoo gave for the University of Hawaii.

• Monstrous Wives, Murderous Lovers, and Dead Wet Girls

For even more ghost-related content, check out episode 50 of Japan Station.

• Yūrei, Ghosts & Yōkai, A Chat w. Zack Davisson | Japan Station 50

To learn even more about Ushino Koku Mairi (the curse of the hour of the ox), check out the Ichimon Japan episode below.

• What’s so scary about the hour of the ox? (About Ushi no Koku Mairi) | Ichimon Japan 21

Use the link below to check out the latest JapanKyo Docs video.

• Emus in Tokyo: Inside the Life of a Japanese Emu Ranche

Don't forget to listen to the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Should I go to Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan (USJ)? | Ichimon Japan 54

If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com.

• KimitoDesigns.com

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Jennifer Yoo

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Full Show Notes

• • Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/