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Uncanny Japan

Uncanny Japan

By: SpectreVision Radio
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About this listen

 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).Copyright ©2025 Uncanny Productions Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • 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 mins
  • Your Guide to the Afterlife in Japan

    Your Guide to the Afterlife in Japan
    Aug 13 2025
    So, you’ve died in Japan. Let me help you navigate the underworld and if we can, avoid the nastiest hells. Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website 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 mins
  • A Cursed Severed Head: Taira no Masakado (Ep. 175)

    A Cursed Severed Head: Taira no Masakado (Ep. 175)
    Aug 2 2025
    Ever wonder who Japan's first samurai was? Or whether severed heads can actually fly? This episode has both answers in the incredible story of Taira no Masakado - a legendary 10th-century warrior who became one of Japan's Three Great Vengeful Spirits. Discover the supernatural tale of his severed head that refused to decay, the three months it spent on display in Kyoto's marketplace, and its legendary flight back to what would become Tokyo. Learn about the cursed head mound that still stands today, the mysterious deaths that plagued anyone who dared disturb it, and why frogs have become sacred symbols at his shrine. [This description contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website 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 mins
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