Tsuyu: Japan's Dreaded Fifth Season - Rain, Mold, and Yokai Spirits (Ep. 172)

May 24, 2025

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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.]

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Credits

Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura

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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.

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