The Smile of the Mountain Witch: Minako Oba

The Smile of the Mountain Witch: Minako Oba

Up next

Japanese Horror Stories

This episode is rated mature.Horror and uncanny stories are fundamental elements of Japanese storytelling.We’ll start with a note about genre in general and “horror” in particular.We’ll continue with a discussion of horror in traditional Japanese storytelling, especially the kaid ...  Show more

Japanese Women Writers

This episode is rated mature.For decades, writing by women was treated as its own separate genre in Japan, joryu bungaku. In today's episode, we’ll start with an explanation of why joryu bungaku became its own separate genre. We’ll move on to the story of women’s writing between ...  Show more

Recommended Episodes

Yamauba
Mythical Monsters

Amidst Japan’s highest peaks, a kindly woman provides weary travelers with food and shelter — if they obey her rules. If they don’t, the Yamauba reveals the demon inside of her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

Episode 0.5: The Witch Queen
Old Gods of Appalachia

They say there's a witch in that valley and you'd do well to stay away from there. Join us as we journey back to the settling of the central plateau and witness the power of mountain women.CW: Religious fundamentalism, death of parents by illness and implied suicide, child abando ...  Show more

Mystifying Mountain Spirits
Kowabana: 'True' Japanese scary stories from around the internet

Episode Notes Join our Patreon for early access and bonus episodes and help support the show! Get exclusive Japanese horror merchandise and join the Discord! Japan is covered in mountains, many of them sparsely populated. What really lives out there? And what should you do on the ...  Show more