Category: Podcast
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Exploration Podcast Poetry Work
B20 – Pearl Diving in Japan
B20 – Pearl Diving in JapanShow Notes for bonus 20 of our Podcast – Pearl Diving in Japan. Story Notes Pearl Diving in Japan is carried out by a group of women known as Ama or to us Diving Women. Their jobs consisted of catching seafood to sell, but over time these women had grown[...]
Drinking Geisha Podcast Poetry
E73B Becoming Maiko
E73B Becoming MaikoShow Notes for episode 73B of our Podcast – Becoming Maiko. Story Notes We continue today the tale of Mineko, as she comes ever closer to becoming a fully fledged Geisha. But it is not going to be an easy time for her. On January 9th one of her nephews[...]
Art Geisha Podcast
E73A Adopted into the Geisha World
E73A Adopted into the Geisha WorldShow Notes for episode 73A of our Podcast – Adopted into the Geisha World. Story Notes Our story now looks into the life of the woman called. Mineko Iwasaki, a woman who was actually interviewed for the book Memoirs of a Geisha. Her original name was Masako Tanaka Still alive[...]
Literature Podcast Poetry
E72 Higuchi Ichiyo
E72 Higuchi IchiyoShow Notes for episode 72 of our Podcast – Higuchi Ichiyo. Story Notes Today we finally delve into the life of Higuchi Ichiyo, the woman you can see on the 5000円 note. Ichiyo was born on May 2, 1872. Her name at birth was Natsu, although she also called herself[...]
Art Literature Podcast Poetry
E71 Hidden Names
E71 Hidden NamesShow Notes for episode 71 of our Podcast – Hidden Names. Story Notes Our first episode during Womens History Month so I wanted to do an episode on 3 women I have come across in my time making the website and they are women we do not know the names[...]
Blossoms Folklore Literature Podcast Poetry
E70 Making Withered Trees Bloom
E70 Making Withered Trees BloomShow Notes for episode 70 of our Podcast – Making Withered Trees Bloom. Story Notes Long, long ago there lived an old man and his wife who supported themselves by cultivating a small plot of land. Their life had been a very happy and peaceful one save for one great[...]
Art Festivals Podcast Theatre
B19 – Forgotten Pantomime – Gigaku
B19 – Forgotten Pantomime – GigakuShow Notes for bonus 19 of our Podcast – Forgotten Pantomime – Gigaku. Story Notes Today we talk of an almost forgotten part of Japanese History. Japanese pantomime. Known as Gigaku. Now as for its origins it looks like it was an import from Korea during the Nara Period around[...]
Folklore Podcast Weapons
B18 – The Horse Slaying Sword
B18 – The Horse Slaying SwordShow Notes for bonus 18 of our Podcast – The Horse Slaying Sword. Story Notes Today a look into the sword which was known as the ‘zanbato.’ Was this sword real? Or is it merely the stuff of legend? Well lets look into that today. Now first lets look at[...]
Art Food Games Literature Podcast Religion Yokai
B17 – Frolicking Animals (Chōjū-giga)
B17 – Frolicking Animals (Chōjū-giga)Show Notes for bonus 17 of our Podcast – Frolicking Animals. (Chōjū-giga) Story Notes We return to Kyoto as we often do on our show, this time to a temple known as Kōzan-ji. It is not really a centralised temple in Kyoto, located in the north-west outskirts of the city.[...]
Folklore Podcast Religion Sacrifice Yokai
B16 The Crucifixion of Sogoro
B16 The Crucifixion of SogoroShow Notes for bonus episode 16 of our Podcast – The Crucifixion of Sogoro. Story Notes The Crucifixion of Sogoro occoured to the man known as Sakura Sōgorō (佐倉 惣五郎) also known as Kiuchi Sōgorō (木内 惣五郎) was a peasant living in the village of Kozu, now close to modern[...]
Folklore Mountains Ninja Podcast Yokai
B15 The Courtesan’s Abyss
B15 The Courtesan’s AbyssShow Notes for bonus episode 15 of our Podcast – The Courtesan’s Abyss. Story Notes The story of The Courtesan’s Abyss take places in a gorge/waterfall located in Yamanashi Prefecture. In Japanese it goes by the name of Oiran Buchi. The area is known from an event from around the[...]
Art Folklore Literature Podcast Poetry
E66C Tattooing – The Suikoden
E66C Tattooing – The SuikodenShow Notes for episode 66C of our Podcast – Tattooing – The Suikoden. Story Notes So lets us bring to a close our episodes on the history of tattoos. We have mentioned throughout the popularity of the heroes from the Suikoden so I feel it makes sense to bring it[...]
Art Folklore Podcast Proverb Religion Yokai
E66B Tattooing – Animal Imagery
E66B Tattooing – Animal ImageryShow Notes for episode 66B of our Podcast – Tattooing – Animal Imagery. Story Notes Well today I must start off by saying the Dragon which I was calling Yamato no Orochi is Yamata no Orochi. I completely misread the name and have been doing so for years! So[...]
Art Festivals Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry Religion
E66A Tattooing – A History
E66A Tattooing – A HistoryShow Notes for episode 66A of our Podcast – Tattooing a History. Story Notes Now first off I want to say there was an unfortunate death in my family recently, hence the break in episodes. But we are here now. And I am much better than I was. But[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Literature Magic Podcast
E65 Urashima Taro
E65 Urashima TaroShow Notes for episode 65 of our Podcast – Urashima Taro the Fisher Lad. Story Notes Long, long ago in the province of Tango there lived on the shore of Japan in the little fishing village of Mizu-no-ye a young fisherman named Urashima Taro. His father had been a fisherman[...]
Podcast Proverb
B14 – Proverbs Pt.2
B14 – Proverbs Pt.2Show Notes for bonus 14 of our Podcast – Proverbs Pt.2 Proverb Notes Todays Bonus episode was a short one, one to showcase a few new proverbs we have come across during our research into Japanese History. So lets get into it. 出る杭は打たれる。 Deru kui wa utareru. Literally: The stake[...]
Exploration Folklore Gods and Goddesses Literature Magic Mountains Podcast Poetry Religion
E64 To Hell and Back
E64 To Hell and BackShow Notes for episode 64 of our Podcast – To Hell and Back. Story Notes Listeners discretion advised for this episode. It is gory, and graphic, and due to the age of the document translated, sexist. Now you may recall this from Yasuke, but I mentioned a tale known as[...]
Folklore Literature Podcast Poetry Religion Yokai
E63 Turtle Folkore
E63 Turtle FolkoreShow Notes for episode 63 of our Podcast – Turtle Folklore. Story Notes There are four divine beasts in Chinese culture, and it’s from this that Japanese culture derives some of the basis for its own turtle folklore The four divine beasts are the dragon, bird, and tiger. Each of[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Literature Podcast Poetry Religion
E62 The Exploits of Okuninushi
E62 The Exploits of OkuninushiShow Notes for episode 62 of our Podcast – The Exploits of Okuninushi. Story Notes Now we haven’t been here since Episode 44, a long time ago now, but we will be continuing on with the story of Shinto. And so we left it off last time with Susano-o having[...]
Festivals Imperial Family Podcast Poetry
E61 Golden Week
E61 Golden WeekShow Notes for episode 61 of our Podcast – Golden Week. Story Notes Today Heather brought us the history of Golden Week so lets get into it. Golden week got its start in 1948. The Japanese government established a “public holiday law” designating 9 official holidays as well as stating[...]
Castles Ninja Podcast Religion Samurai Temples
E60E War and Betrayal – Honnō-ji Incident
E60E War and Betrayal – Honnō-ji IncidentShow Notes for episode 60E of our Podcast – War and Betrayal – Honnō-ji Incident Story Notes We jump to late autumn when Yasuke is in attendance to Nobunaga. A messanger arrives at Azuchi castle bringing a message from General Hideyoshi. His siege at Tottori Castle against the Mori (the[...]
Castles Exploration Imperial Family Podcast Proverb Samurai
E60D To Become Samurai
E60D To Become SamuraiShow Notes for episode 60D of our Podcast – To Become Samurai. Story Notes After, Yasuke waited a while for another summons. Nobunaga all focused on the umazoroe (horse racing event) to come. And so Yasuke waited… and waited. Now separate from the Jesuits he had spent so long with.[...]
Exploration Podcast Religion Samurai Songs
E60C Meeting Nobunaga
E60C Meeting NobunagaShow Notes for episode 60C of our Podcast – Meeting Nobunaga Story Notes We left off with them all entering finally into Kyoto for their fated meeting with Oda Nobunaga. But I failed to mention that as they neared Kyoto their small procession had grown and grown so when they[...]
Castles Exploration Ninja Podcast Poetry Religion Samurai
E60B The Road to Kyoto
E60B The Road to KyotoShow Notes for episode 60B of our Podcast – The Road to Kyoto Story Notes We carry on from where we left off. With Yasuke and Allesandro finishing up their meeting with Lord Arima. And so it was time for the two of them to return home, through the territory[...]
Castles Podcast Samurai Tongue Twisters
E60A Yasuke Arriving in Japan
E60A Yasuke Arriving in JapanShow Notes for episode 60A of our Podcast – Yasuke arriving in Japan Updates on Last Week Episode One of our listeners chimed in about us saying perhaps the Knights were Samurai, reminding us that Samurai didn’t come into existence in the 12th century, however, the story of the Bamboo[...]
Folklore Games Gods and Goddesses Imperial Family Magic Podcast
E59 The Bamboo Cutters Daughter
E59 The Bamboo Cutters DaughterShow Notes for episode 59 of our Podcast – The Bamboo Cutters Daughter. Story Notes Long, long ago, there lived an old bamboo wood-cutter. He was very poor and sad also, for no child had Heaven sent to cheer his old age, and in his heart there was no hope[...]
Folklore Magic Podcast Yokai
B12 The Vampire Cat
B12 The Vampire CatShow Notes for bonus episode 12 of our Podcast – The Vampire Cat. Story Notes This is an old tale, from 1871 by A.B.Mitford. Due to the age of the tale it is now out of copyright and so we have the entire original story here for you to enjoy.[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Pokemon Proverb Yokai
E58 The Yokai behind Pokemon
E58 The Yokai behind PokemonShow Notes for episode 58 of our Podcast – The Yokai behind Pokemon. Story Notes Pokemon is a world wide phenomenon which was first thought up around 1989 by Pokemon executive director Satoshi Tajiri when the Game Boy was released. And the item behind Pokemon came from a popular hobby[...]
Food Podcast Poetry
E57 A Brief History of Noodles
E57 A Brief History of NoodlesShow Notes for episode 57 of our Podcast – A Brief History of Noodles. Story Notes If you mention Japan and noodles in the same sentence, most people in America would, I assume, think you are talking about ramen. Ramen has become so ingrained in American culture that, along with[...]
Folklore Literature Magic Podcast Poetry
E56 The Tongue Cut Sparrow
E56 The Tongue Cut SparrowShow Notes for episode 56 of our Podcast – The Tongue Cut Sparrow. Today we read the translation from 1901 by Yei Theodora Ozaki. As it is now in the public domain here is the story in full for you. Story Notes Long, long ago in Japan there lived an[...]
Imperial Family Literature Podcast Poetry Religion Temples
E55 The Life and Poems of Manzei
E55 The Life and Poems of ManzeiShow Notes for episode 55 of our Podcast – The Life and Poems of Manzei. Story Notes Now the poems we will talk of today come from the man’yōshū, a large poetry collection of 20 volumes and more than 4,500 waka poems. The document in question was divided into three[...]
Podcast Religion
B11 Santa Kurō
B11 Santa KurōShow Notes for bonus episode 11 of our Podcast – Santa Kuro. Story Notes Looking around to find a topic themed around Christmas for the end of the year I stumbled upon the short tale of Santa Kurō (三太九郎) and we first find this tale all the way back in[...]
Exploration Gods and Goddesses Imperial Family Podcast Tongue Twisters
E54C Reigns End
E54C Reigns EndShow Notes for episode 54C of our Podcast – Reigns End. Story Notes So answering our little query we gave ourselves last week. The Emperor Jimmu would be 100% divine. Today we finish our look into the Emperor Jimmu and so we pick up where we left off. On the[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Imperial Family Podcast Poetry Religion
E54B Divine Crow
E54B Divine CrowShow Notes for episode 54B of our Podcast – Divine Crow. Story Notes Reading through my notes and the books again to double check everything before todays episode I came across a mistake from the last episode so lets quickly rectify that. We talked about Naga-sune-hiko and how he attacked[...]
Exploration Gods and Goddesses Imperial Family Podcast Poetry
E54A The First Emperor
E54A The First EmperorShow Notes for episode 54A of our Podcast – The First Emperor. Story Notes Today we are going to talk about Jimmu Tenno 神武天皇, or to the Western world, the Emperor Jimmu. Now he is going to act as we have said as the first in our chronological telling of[...]
Folklore Magic Podcast Poetry Temples
E53 Kettles and Sparrows
E53 Kettles and SparrowsShow Notes for episode 53 of our Podcast – Kettles and Sparrows. Story Notes Today we had two folktales from a very old source, The Folk Lore Record dating to 1878. So sit back and enjoy the tales. The Bewitched Tea-Kettle This story is originally called the Bunbuku Chagama. A[...]
Blossoms Folklore Podcast Proverb
E52 The Love of Asagao
E52 The Love of AsagaoShow Notes for episode 52 of our Podcast – The Love of Asagao. Story Notes This story originally came from 1913 and so is available free of copyright and so we can include the story in full for you here today. “The morning gloryHer leaves and bells has boundMy bucket-handle[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Samurai
E51 Kintaro the Golden Boy
E51 Kintaro the Golden BoyShow Notes for episode 51 of our Podcast – Kintaro the Golden Boy. Story Notes Long, long ago there lived in Kyoto a brave soldier named Kintoki. Now he fell in love with a beautiful lady and married her. Not long after this, through the malice of some of his[...]
Drinking Food Podcast
EP50 Worlds Oldest Companies
EP50 Worlds Oldest CompaniesShow Notes for episode 50 of our Podcast – Worlds Oldest Companies. Story Notes In the world there exists 67 companies which have existed since before 1300AD, and out of those 67. 34% of them are located in Japan. So today let’s dive into some of them shall we? [...]
Magic Ninja Podcast
B10 Ninja Magician
B10 Ninja MagicianShow Notes for bonus episode 10 of our Podcast – Ninja Magician. Story Notes Kashin Koji (果心居士) was said to have been a magician born in 1524 who also went by the name of Shippo Gyoja (Pilgrim of the Seven Treasures). His ancestry is unfortunately not known and we can[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Imperial Family Podcast Poetry Religion Temples
E49 The Sacred Regalia
E49 The Sacred RegaliaShow Notes for episode 49 of our Podcast – The Sacred Regalia. Story Notes Today I wanted to try and piece together the history of the Sacred Regalia in Japan. Where as England has their crown jewels for example, in Japan they have these Regalia, or the Sanshu no Jingi[...]
Podcast Poetry Songs
E48 Iroha and Dragonflies
E48 Iroha and DragonfliesShow Notes for episode 48 of our Podcast – Iroha and Dragonflies. Story Notes So if I was to ask you what a pangram was, what example could you give? If you are an English speaker you may already know of one, even if you didn’t realise such a thing[...]
Food Podcast Proverb
E47 Sushi
E47 SushiShow Notes for episode 47 of our Podcast – Sushi. Story Notes What do you think of when you think about sushi? Maybe you think about the rolls served with avocado, mayonnaise, fried seafood… Maybe you think about the cute little egg omelettes or raw fish like tuna served on[...]
Folklore Food Podcast Poetry Yokai
B9 Momiji Meat
B9 Momiji MeatShow Notes for bonus episode 9 of our Podcast – Momiji Meat. Story Notes All the way back in Episode 16 we heard of a poem from Sarumaru Taifu that went as follows. (From the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu.) 奥山に 紅葉踏みわけ 鳴く鹿の 声きく時ぞ 秋はかなしき Okuyama ni momoji mireba naku shika no koe kiku toki zo aki wa kanashiki In[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Yokai
E46 The Peony Lantern
E46 The Peony LanternShow Notes for episode 46 of our Podcast – The Peony Lantern. Story Notes I There once lived in the district of Ushigome, in Yedo, a hatamoto called Iijima Heizayemon, whose only daughter, Tsuyu, was beautiful as her name, which signifies “Morning Dew.” Iijima took a second wife when his[...]
Podcast Poetry
E45 Beginning Basho
E45 Beginning Basho Show Notes for episode 45 of our Podcast – Beginning Basho. Story Notes 古池や蛙飛びこむ水の音 furu ike ya / kawazu tobikomu / mizu no oto Breaking the silence of an ancient pond, a frog jumped into water – A deep resonance We’ve encountered Basho so many times during the podcast, that[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry Religion
E44 Yamata no Orochi
E44 Yamata no OrochiShow Notes for episode 44 of our Podcast – Yamata no Orochi. Story Notes So finally Susano-o is leaving Heaven, he has caused offence, he caused the sun goddess to flee for a time causing the land to fall into darkness, and generally he has proven to be not a[...]
Folklore Podcast Religion Songs Temples Yokai
E43 Kappa
E43 KappaShow Notes for episode 43 of our Podcast – Kappa. Story Notes Names The Kappa (河童) has had various name throughout it long history including Midzuchi, Kawatarō and Kawa-warawa just to name a few. Appearance and Interests When it comes to appearance for this creature which is particular to the[...]
Blossoms Exploration Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry Religion Songs World War Two
EP42B Falling Blossoms
EP42B Falling BlossomsShow Notes for episode 42B of our Podcast – Falling Blossoms. Story Notes We want to make you aware of the sensitive topics we will be sharing today. We will do our best to present this information to you as educational, and encourage you to do further research as well.[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Yokai
B8 Imaro and the Wani
B8 Imaro and the WaniShow Notes for bonus episode 8 of our Podcast – Imaro and the Wani. Story Notes Imaro and the Wani is a short myth written down in the Izumo Fudoki. A kind of record and history of the old Japanese Province of Izumo. We have talked about this document before[...]
Blossoms Exploration Mountains Podcast Poetry Temples World War Two
EP42A A Passion for Cherry Blossoms
EP42A A Passion for Cherry BlossomsShow Notes for episode 42A of our Podcast – A Passion for Cherry Blossoms. Story Notes In ancient Japan, blossoms were a symbol of new life, new beginnings. But this began to change through in second half of 19th century, accelerating dramatically in the 1930’s. They changed them to be[...]
Art Mountains Podcast Poetry
EP41 Hokusai
EP41 HokusaiShow Notes for episode 41 of our Podcast – Hokusai. Story Notes Hokusai, is the name he is most well known by, but his given name when he was born in 1760 was Tokitaro. Born some believe in the Warigesui section of the Honjo District in Edo. People believe his[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Temples Yokai
EP40 Cat Foklore #1
EP40 Cat Foklore #1Show Notes for episode 40 of our Podcast – Cat Folklore #1. Cat Folklore covers so much in Japan, and there is no way we could do it all in one episode for you all, so lets delve into a little part of the Cat Folklore that fills Japan. Story[...]
Health Care Podcast Science
B7 The Tatoo Collector
B7 The Tatoo CollectorShow Notes for bonus episode 7 of our Podcast – The Tatoo Collector. Story Notes Fukushi Masaichi (福士政一) is an interesting man, born January 30th 1878, he lived until 1956 and had a single child by the name of Fukushi Katsunari. Now they are of interest to us as he[...]
Podcast Proverb
B6 Proverbs
B6 ProverbsShow Notes for bonus episode 6 of our Podcast – Proverbs. Story Notes There are many proverbs throughout Japan and so we wanted to introduce you to a few of them. 釈迦に説法 しゃかにせっぽう Translation: Teaching Buddhism to the Buddah. Trying to explain things to someone who knows more than you. 花より団子 Hana yori dango Dango[...]
Ainu Exploration Podcast Poetry Science
EP39 First Antarctic Expedition
EP39 First Antarctic ExpeditionShow Notes for episode 39 of our Podcast – First Antarctic Expedition. Story Notes To start off it is best to talk a little about the man behind the expedition. His name was Nobu Shirase, born originally in Akita Prefecture (so I nice little tie in with last weeks episode),[...]
Hachiko Podcast Poetry
EP38 Hachiko: The Dog Who Waited
EP38 Hachiko: The Dog Who WaitedShow Notes for episode 38 of our Podcast – Hachiko: The Dog Who Waited. Story Notes To tell the story of Hachiko it is no doubt also good to know a little about the man who raise him. Now this man was known as Hidesaburō Ueno ((上野 英三郎) born January[...]
Ainu Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Proverb
EP37 The Song the Black Fox God Sang
EP37 The Song the Black Fox God SangShow Notes for episode 37 of our Podcast – The Song the Black Fox God Sang. Story Notes The Woman Behind the Stories The stories are through the work of Chiri Yukie, collecting tales she heard from her family. This book, the Ainu Shinyoushuu was the first of its kind[...]
Drinking Festivals Folklore Food Podcast Poetry Religion
EP36 A Brief History of Rice
EP36 A Brief History of RiceShow Notes for episode 36 of our Podcast – A Brief History of Rice. Story Notes What is rice? How is it grown? The rice plant is a grass. The product, also called rice, is a cereal grain, and the scientific name is Oryza sativa. It is usually grown in[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry
EP35 Light Returns
EP35 Light ReturnsShow Notes for episode 35 of our Podcast – Light Returns. Story Notes All the kami of Heaven gather on the banks of the river Amenoyasunokawa (meaning Heavens Tranquil Stream) while they decided what should be done to get Amaterasu to leave the cave after she flees into it from[...]
Drinking Folklore Mountains Podcast Songs Yokai
EP34 Oni
EP34 OniShow Notes for episode 34 of our Podcast – Oni. Story Notes Translated over time as demon, ogre or devil. And we can find reference to them as far back as the 8th century. Perhaps former Shinto kami (deities) and there can be both male and female Oni, though female[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Mountains Podcast Religion Temples
B5 Peacock Power
B5 Peacock PowerShow Notes for bonus episode 5 of our Podcast – Peacock Power. Story Notes This is a tale on En no Ozunu, from Episode 22. This tale can be found in the nara ehon, now this is an over all term from what I can tell for woodblock printed book[...]
Health Care Podcast
B4 Hospital Check Up
B4 Hospital Check UpShow Notes for bonus episode 4 of our Podcast – Hospital Check Up. Story Notes We gave Heather a call for a Hospital Check Up and while we were at it, we thought we would look at some medical history from Japan. These notes are the few things I found[...]
Castles Food Ninja Podcast Weapons
EP32 Ninja Arsenal
EP32 Ninja ArsenalShow Notes for episode 32 of our Podcast – Ninja Arsenal. There was no poem segment in todays episode due to the length of the Podcast. Story Notes Now I have debated a little on how to write down these show notes, as we know during the episode I gave[...]
Folklore Mountains Podcast Yokai
B3 Zenki and Goki
B3 Zenki and GokiShow Notes for bonus episode 3 of our Podcast – Zenki and Goki. Story Notes Zenki and Goki (前鬼 & 後鬼) are two well known Oni with strong associations with the founder of the Shugendō Religion, En no Gyōja. Said to have dwelt in the mountains ranges close to Nara,[...]
Festivals Podcast Poetry
EP30 The Bean Throwing Festival
EP30 The Bean Throwing FestivalShow Notes for episode 30 of our Podcast – The Bean Throwing Festival. Story Notes There is a saying in Japan they states: On the Eve of the beginning of the Spring Season, to place heads of sardine and holly is to ward of the devil known as Kaguhana, a[...]
Drinking Podcast Poetry
EP29 Mother of Japanese Whiskey
EP29 Mother of Japanese WhiskeyShow Notes for episode 29 of our Podcast – Mother of Japanese Whiskey. Story Notes Jessie Roberta Cowan was born in December 14, 1896 in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland. Her father was a doctor in the village. She grew up the oldest of four children, two younger sisters and a[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Yokai
EP28 Shark Man
EP28 Shark ManShow Notes for episode 28 of our Podcast – Shark Man. Story Notes So today is yet again another link to one of the places we seem to be growing a fondness for. And that is the area around Lake Biwa outside of Kyoto. Honestly, at this point I think[...]
Castles Folklore Podcast Tongue Twisters
EP27 Legends of Himeji
EP27 Legends of HimejiShow Notes for episode 27 of our Podcast – Legends of Himeji. Story Notes So today I wanted talk a little about some of the history of Himeji Castle. Castle in Japanese being pronounced Jō. As some of you many recall I visited Nagasaki during November last year when my[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry
EP26 Okiku and the Nine Plates
EP26 Okiku and the Nine PlatesShow Notes for episode 26 of our Podcast – Okiku and the Nine Plates. Story Notes Today I wanted to tell a story, this one in particular being a ghost story – The story of Okiku and the Nine Plates. Now this is one of Japanese better known Ghosts stories[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Temples
EP25 Temples of Ueno Park
EP25 Temples of Ueno ParkShow Notes for episode 25 of our Podcast – Temples of Ueno Park. Story Notes There are many temples in Ueno Park, and honestly the episode we did on them didn’t even really scratch the surface. And we will definitely be returning to not only talk more about the temples,[...]
Festivals Food Podcast Songs
EP24 Christmas in Japan
EP24 Christmas in JapanShow Notes for episode 24 of our Podcast – Christmas in Japan. Story Notes Christmas in Japan is a different atmosphere that the one you might be used to. For both Thomas and myself, we are used to Christmas being the most important holiday of the year. Many people have[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry Religion Yokai
EP23 The Worms that Speak to Ten-tei
EP23 The Worms that Speak to Ten-teiShow Notes for episode 23 of our Podcast – The Worms that Speak to Ten-tei. Story Notes Todays episode was a three in one combo for you all. Not three separate topics, but three different topics all which I discovered linked into one another. So lets start with a Yōkai[...]
Mountains Ninja Podcast Poetry Religion
EP22 En the Pilgrim
EP22 En the PilgrimShow Notes for episode 22 of our Podcast – En the Pilgrim. Story Notes En no Ozunu is an interesting man. Born in a time really before the Ninja, if anyone would have asked him if he considered himself to be one he would have just looked at you in[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Proverb Religion
EP21 Darkness Falls
EP21 Darkness FallsShow Notes for episode 21 of our Podcast – Darkness Falls. Story Notes Her brother Susano-o, having been condemned to go reside in Yomi, wished to speak to his sister one last time and so ascends to Heaven. He brother informs her that he comes with no ill intent and[...]
Podcast Poetry
EP20 Sole Japanese aboard the Titanic
EP20 Sole Japanese aboard the TitanicShow Notes for episode 20 of our Podcast – Sole Japanese aboard the Titanic. Story Notes So today I wanted to talk about Masabumi Hosono. He was born October 15th 1870 and lived until March 14th 1939. Now we know he lived his life being a civil servant but what[...]
Food Podcast Poetry
EP19 Japanese Curry
EP19 Japanese CurryShow Notes for episode 19 of our Podcast – Japanese Curry. Story Notes The origins of Japanese curry come from British curry. When the British navy came to Japan, they brought along their curry as well. Curry uses easy to store ingredients like onions, potatoes, and carrots and it’s a[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Religion
EP18 The Bell of Miidera
EP18 The Bell of MiideraShow Notes for episode 18 of our Podcast – The Bell of Miidera. We know of several stories surrounding the Bell of Miidera. Story Notes Kanesama One relates how women were forbidden to touch the bell as it was feared that it would cause the bell to go dull.[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry
EP17B Hitobashira
EP17B HitobashiraShow Notes for episode 17B of our Podcast – Hitobashira. Story Notes Human Sacrifice known as Hitobashira, literally translates as ‘Human Pillar,’ and is a purported form of Human Sacrifice carried out in Ancient Japan. However, we have no physical proof that such a thing ever occoured. In times[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry Religion
EP17A Human Sacrifice
EP17A Human SacrificeShow Notes for episode 17A of our Podcast – Human Sacrifice. Story Notes Archaeologically speaking, the act of human sacrifice has never been documented in Japan. So I want to look into the old tales told of this practise. The Bow In times long past there was the belief[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry
EP16 The Devil’s Gate
EP16 The Devil’s GateShow Notes for episode 16 of our Podcast – The Devil’s Gate. Story Notes We have portrayals of the Yokai known as the Oni, which Heather mentioned in the previous episode about Momotaro. You can find his depiction in his Yokai compendium called the Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki. He[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry
EP15 Son of a Peach
EP15 Son of a PeachShow Notes for 15 of our Podcast – Son of a Peach. Also known as the Peach Boy. Story Notes Mukashi, mukashi, there lived an old couple. This couple was very happy, but they never had a child. They spent their days on their farm doing chores. Now, the[...]
Folklore Gods and Goddesses Mountains Podcast Poetry Religion
EP14B Tales of Fuji
EP14B Tales of FujiShow Notes for EP14B of our Podcast – Hei! Say my Name. Tales of Fuji. Story Notes Lake Motosu Now, after researching this lake I have been unable to find any stories linked to it. So if I am missing something, and if you’re listening an no I story I[...]
Podcast Poetry Science
EP14A The man on the 1000円
EP14A The man on the 1000円Show Notes for EP14A of our Podcast – Hei! Say my Name. The man on the 1000円 Story Notes Hideyo Noguchi was was born on November 9th, 1876 so we’re almost reaching modern Japan. The Edo Period had ended 8 years ago by this point. And for those in the[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry Yokai
EP13 Palace Sparrows
EP13 Palace SparrowsShow Notes for EP13 of our Podcast – Palace Sparrows. Story Notes I wanted to talk today about Fujiwara no Sanekata, a member of the Fujiwara Clan he was an accomplished poet in his time. And we can find 68 of his poems in imperial waka anthologies. During his life[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry
EP12 When Day became Night
EP12 When Day became NightShow Notes for EP12 of our Podcast – When Day became Night. Story Notes Izanagi having left Yomi and needing to cleanse himself bathed in the Tachibana River. From this many new Gods sprang forth, however, the Gods we will talk about today are Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi. The Sun Goddess[...]
Folklore Podcast
EP11 Superstitions
EP11 SuperstitionsShow Notes for EP11 of our Podcast – Superstitions. Story Notes There are many Superstitions in Japan. Numbers The numbers 4 and 9 in Japan have associations within bad luck. The number 4 四 can be associated with death as this can be pronounced shi. The same pronunciation for death.[...]
Podcast Poetry Yokai
EP10 A Ghost Story in Tokyo
EP10 A Ghost Story in TokyoShow Notes for EP10 of our Podcast – A Ghost Story in Tokyo. (Show notes today by Heather). Story Notes: I’m outside today for our ghost story, in the dark in Tokyo. I hope you can hear the sound of the cicadas. Ghost stories are usually told in summer in[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Poetry
EP9 Izumo Province (Mythological Creation)
EP9 Izumo Province (Mythological Creation)Show Notes for episode 9 of our Podcast – Izumo Province (Mythological Creation). Story Notes The story for today comes from the Izumo fudoki, written about the Japanese Province of Izumo. (Modern Day Shimane Prefecture) This fudoki (which were created as way to record the histories and information pertaining to[...]
Podcast Poetry World War Two
EP8B Order 9066 and 1000 Cranes
EP8B Order 9066 and 1000 CranesShow Notes for EP8B – Order 9066 and 1000 Cranes. (Show notes today by Heather). Story Notes: Sometimes there is a call to action. That even if you know what you are doing may not have a huge effect, but sometimes you need to do anything you can. For this[...]
Podcast Poetry World War Two
EP8A Righteous Among Nations
EP8A Righteous Among NationsShow Notes for EP8A – Righteous Among Nations Story Notes: Chiune Sugihara was born 1 January, 1900 in Gifu prefecture. The second son of Yoshima and Yatsu, he had 5 brothers and one sister. His family lived in a borrowed temple, close to Kyosen-ji. He moved to many elementary schools[...]
Ninja Podcast Poetry
EP7 Target: Nobunaga
EP7 Target: NobunagaShow Notes for EP7 of our Podcast – Target: Nobunaga. Story Notes Sugitani Zenjubo (杉谷善住坊) was born to one of the 53 families of the Koga Clan, acting as Ninja and Sniper for them until his death in 1573. He was best known for his use of the matchlock rifle (hinawa-ju). Initially the Koga[...]
Folklore Podcast Poetry
EP6 Lord of Rice
EP6 Lord of RiceShow Notes for EP6 of our Podcast – Lord of Rice. Story Notes Fujiwara Hidesato, also known as Tawara Toda, wished for adventure and so one day set out. Reaching Seta-no-Karashi Bridge on Lake Biwa he finds a serpent-dragon sleeping across it. Undeterred he walks over the Dragon, afterwards, the Dragon changes into a[...]
Festivals Gods and Goddesses Podcast Songs
EP5 Weaver of Heaven
EP5 Weaver of HeavenShow Notes for EP5 of our Podcast – Tanabata – Weaver of Heaven. Story and Song Notes The festival of Tanabata can trace it origins to the Empress Koken when it was adopted by Japan from the Heian Period. The festival has lasted to this day. The story of the[...]
Podcast Samurai Songs
EP4 Samurai Weatherman
EP4 Samurai WeathermanShow Notes for EP4 – Samurai Weatherman. We have some extra notes here for you about Sekiso from our database about him. Story Notes: Tsunokuma Sekiso (角隈 石宗) was a Gunbaisha (Military Strategist) and Vassal during the Azuchi-Momoyama Period for the Warlord Otomo Sorin. He died during the Battle of Mimikawa in 1578. Records from his life state[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Religion
EP3 Death of a Goddess
EP3 Death of a GoddessShow Notes for EP3 – Death of a Goddess. Story Notes: Izanami and Izanagi having made the island of Japan, turn to making Spirits. Eventually Izanami gives birth to the Fire God – Kagutsuchi. Who, burning her as she gives birth to him, causes her to die. Izanagi, angry the[...]
Podcast Yokai
EP2 Iron Rat
EP2 Iron RatShow Notes for EP2 – Iron Rat. Story Notes: Raigo was a Buddhist monk living at the Temple of Mii-dera in Kyoto. He was approached by the Emperor Shirakawa with a proposition. If he was to pray for the safe birth of his son, he would expand his temple. Raigo[...]
Gods and Goddesses Podcast Religion
EP1 Heavenly Spear
EP1 Heavenly SpearShow Notes for EP1 – Heavenly Spear. Story Notes: Izanami and Izanagi, tasked with the creation of the lands below are given the gift of the Jewelled Spear of Heaven. They thrust down this Heavenly Spear into the sea below from their vantage point on the Floating Bridge of Heaven[...]