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

What is tsukimono? In Japanese culture, it’s the unsettling idea of possession—when a human or animal spirit attaches itself to you and usually does harm. In this episode of Uncanny Japan, I explore animal possession: foxes, dogs, snakes, and even horses that cling to people for ...  Show more

A vengeful princess rides a giant toad into battle while a monstrous skeleton tears through castle walls — and these two legends are connected in ways you might not expect. In this episode, I dig into the story of Takiyasha Hime, daughter of the infamous Taira no Masakado, and th ...  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