

Uncanny Japan
SpectreVision Radio
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. Every episode is uniquely soothing, 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-five years of living in Japan, she is the author of The Book of Japanese Folklore. 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).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 15, 2021 • 13min
Utsuro-Bune: The Hollow (Space?) Ship (Ep. 78)
We're being visited by UAPs, Unidentified Aerial Phenomenon. Or you might be more familiar with their older name: UFOs. There is a lot of interesting news coming out these days. You've probably seen it. Well, guess what, they've been coming for quite awhile and I have proof. Today let's talk about the utsuro-bune (虚舟) or utsuro-fune, the legend of the hollow ship. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Suspenseful Cinematic Ambient by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/6195-suspenseful-cinematic-ambient License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 1, 2021 • 44min
Story Time – "Kaguya Hime: The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Princess" (Ep. 77)
Today I'll read to you, "The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Princess" called Kaguya Hime in Japanese. It's an old tale that some believe talks about otherworldly visitors. Was the Moon Princess an extraterrestrial being? Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Acoustic Love (loopable) by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7859-acoustic-love-loopable- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 2021 • 15min
Fuujin & Raijin: The Gods of Thunder and Wind (Ep. 76)
Who are Fujin and Raijin (the Japanese Wind God and Thunder God), where did they come from, and what do they do? Today I'll tell you about their origins in India and a Japanese Goddesses' decaying body. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 2, 2021 • 29min
Story Time: The Kappa's Abyss (Ep. 75)
Today's Story Time is one I found in an old collection of Japanese folklore. It's about a couple of conniving kappa and an innocent young girl. It's called "The Kappa's Abyss." Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Bama Country by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3417-bama-country License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Chill Movement by EdiKey20 Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7796-chill-movement License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Love Me by DreamHeave Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7753-love-me License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 15, 2021 • 17min
Jigoku Tayuu: The Mysterious Hell Courtesan (Ep. 74)
The Hell Courtesan (Jigoku Tayuu) is a mysterious figure that appears in art and story in Japan since the 1600s. But who is this beautiful high-ranked oiran who wears a kimono covered in images of hell? In this episode I talk about her legend and relationship with the eccentric monk Ikkyuu. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 4, 2021 • 29min
Rated G Tanuki Buttons: This Unbelievable Story Will Blow Your Mind! (Ep. 73.5)
Here is it already April first and the cherry blossoms are blooming and spring is in the air. I think today is a good day to tell you a story I've been wanting to share for awhile now. Remember last episode when I talked about the tanuki? Well, keep all that in mind when you listen to today's episode. Things are going to get weird. This version is safe for 8 year olds and grandmothers. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Researched, written, directed, & produced: Thersa Matsuura Mixed, edited, & sound engineered: Rich Pav Voice of Terrie and Richard: Terrie and Richard Voice of tanuki buttons: Julyan Ray Sniffles, snorts, and chomps of tanuki: Alan Smithee Foley: Richard and Terrie That one line about Caligula: Joe Robson Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura. Atmospheres #9 – Outskirts Of Town by Brian Holtz Music Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7668-atmospheres-9-outskirts-of-town License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Mourning Background by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7660-mourning-background License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Freedom by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4881-freedom License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Divertimento K131 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3663-divertimento-k131 License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Peek-A-Boo by Brian Holtz Music Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7123-peek-a-boo License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Expanse by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4846-the-expanse License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Dawn Of The Apocalypse by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5627-dawn-of-the-apocalypse- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 5 Am by Denis Sivtsev Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5959-5-am License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 1, 2021 • 29min
PG-13 Tanuki Buttons: This Unbelievable Story Will Blow Your Mind! (Ep. 73)
Here is it already April first and the cherry blossoms are blooming and spring is in the air. I think today is a good day to tell you a story I've been wanting to share for awhile now. Remember last episode when I talked about the tanuki? Well, keep all that in mind when you listen to today's episode. Things are going to get weird. Warning: This episode violates the Third Commandment, contains references to male anatomy and has uncensored words that could infect your soul, curve your spine, and keep the country from winning the war. Not safe for 8 year olds. Listener discretion is advised. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Researched, written, directed, & produced: Thersa Matsuura Mixed, edited, & sound engineered: Rich Pav Voice of Terrie and Richard: Terrie and Richard Voice of tanuki buttons: Julyan Ray Sniffles, snorts, and chomps of tanuki: Alan Smithee Foley: Richard and Terrie That one line about Caligula: Joe Robson Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura. Atmospheres #9 – Outskirts Of Town by Brian Holtz Music Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7668-atmospheres-9-outskirts-of-town License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Mourning Background by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7660-mourning-background License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Freedom by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4881-freedom License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Divertimento K131 by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/3663-divertimento-k131 License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Peek-A-Boo by Brian Holtz Music Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7123-peek-a-boo License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license The Expanse by Alexander Nakarada Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/4846-the-expanse License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Dawn Of The Apocalypse by Rafael Krux Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5627-dawn-of-the-apocalypse- License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license 5 Am by Denis Sivtsev Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5959-5-am License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2021 • 19min
Adorable Tanuki: Fluffy, Shape-Shifting, and Lucky! (Ep. 72)
Tanuki are those adorable, magical animals you find all through Japanese history. They're in folktales, art, legend, and even in modern day manga and anime. In this episode I'll talk about these furry, shape-shifting critters, touching on all the well known facts as well as some more obscure ones. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Lively Classical Piano Waltz by MusicLFiles Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7167-lively-classical-piano-waltz License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Dixi Dance by Frank Schröter Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7063-dixi-dance License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 2021 • 19min
Kan no Mushi: Adorable Parasites Living Inside Your Spine (Ep. 71)
Let me tell you why your toddler might cry at night and throw tantrums and what you can do to remedy. It could be a mythical parasite that lives in their spine. And you might have them, too. Visit the Uncanny Japan website to read the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 15, 2021 • 21min
Sanzaru: Three Wise Monkeys and How They Can Help Extend Your Life (Ep. 70)
Everyone is familiar with the Three Wise Monkeys or as they're called in Japan Sanzaru (Three Monkeys). But did you know the See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Say No Evil creatures are actually a Japanese play on words? They're also an important part of an old folk belief that has to do with three worms escaping your body and a large deity with six arms and a blue face who vows to protect you. Visit the Uncanny Japan website for the show notes and transcript. Uncanny Japan is author Thersa Matsuura. Her other shows are Uncanny Robot Podcast and The Soothing Stories Podcast. Check out her books including The Carp-Faced Boy on Amazon. If you'd like to help support the podcast and have a bedtime story read to you monthly, please visit Patreon. Please join our community forum! https://japanforum.uncanny.productions/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura Website: https://www.uncannyjapan.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UncannyJapan Mastodon: https://famichiki.jp/@UncannyJapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/UncannyJapan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uncannyjapan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncannyjapan/ Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution): https://buymeacoffee.com/uncannyjapan Credits Intro and outro music by Julyan Ray Matsuura Touching heaven by chilledmusic Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7533-touching-heaven License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices