Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead (Ep. 58)

What if the meal sitting in those beautiful lacquered boxes held messages from the gods? In Japan, osechi-ryōri isn't just New Year's food—it's a sacred offering. Each dish carries specific wishes: black beans for health, herring roe for prosperity, lotus root for clear vision in ...  Show more

Don't point at the moon—you might wake up without your ears. In Japan, the moon rabbit isn't just making mochi. Its image was placed there by the gods to honor an act of pure sacrifice, a Buddhist tale that traveled from India through China and transformed along the way. In thi ...  Show more

Harry Houdini was an American escape artist, magic man, and stunt performer, noted for his escape acts. His pseudonym is a reference to his spiritual master, French magician Robert-Houdin. Truly though his story is wild and with many twists and turns. Travel to Japan With Me her ...  Show more

In episode 141, the girls are joined by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka to talk about her experience immigrating to America and living as an undocumented immigrant, finding her way into comedy, dancing with her grandmother, and so much more!! Follow her at @AtsukoComedy on Twitter and I ...  Show more

Back to the land of fairy tales this week with another great story by Yei Theodora Osaki. 

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The Conclusion of the "Story of Hong Gildong" takes us from the household drama of last episode to a story that spans the entirety of the Korean peninsula, with Gildong earning his title of the Korean Robin Hood. It then moves beyond Korea to mythical lands, where Gildong battles ...  Show more