Podcast Episodes

Lafcadio Hearn's "Readings from a Dream Book": Mystical Meditations on Consciousness (Ep. 170)

Season 9 Episode 170

Sometimes we all need a little break from reality, and that's exactly what I'm offering in this deeply contemplative episode. Against the backdrop of soothing Pacific Ocean waves recorded on the Japa…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

Ryūjin: Harnessing the Power of Japan's Undersea Dragon God (Ep. 169)

Season 9 Episode 169

Let's journey down to the bottom of the ocean to an underwater dragon palace called the Ryugu, or sometimes Ryugu-jo, owned and lorded over by Ryujin, the dragon god. And while we're there, let's lea…

Published on 6 months ago

Mt. Fuji: A Fire-Resistant Goddess and a Sword-Licking Mystic

Season 9 Episode 168

Mount Fuji isn't just Japan's tallest peak - it's home to some of the most extraordinary legends in Japanese folklore. In this episode, I tell you about two remarkable figures who shaped its mystical…

Published on 6 months, 2 weeks ago

Kanto vs Kansai: How Japanese Regional Food Differs

Season 9 Episode 167

In this episode I talk about one of my favorite topics, one of the things that makes Japan special to me. It still gets me excited after all these years, and that is food.

I absolutely love that wher…

Published on 7 months ago

The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts

Season 9 Episode 166

What happens when you think you know everything about Japan's most famous temple? I discovered I knew almost nothing at all about Kinkaku-ji. Its real name isn't even what most people call it – there…

Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago

Walking in Old Japan: The Historical Gokaidō Routes

Season 9 Episode 165

In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a stroll along the walking routes of Old Edo. There were five main ones, called go-kaidō - the five Edo routes, or the five historical roads of Japan. All fi…

Published on 8 months ago

Fudomyō: The Unshakable One and Fire Ceremonies

Season 9 Episode 164

Meet Fudomyō, the fierce-looking but benevolent Buddhist deity who, despite his intimidating appearance with wild eyes and fangs, exists to help humanity. Learn about this Wisdom King's symbolic elem…

Published on 8 months, 3 weeks ago

Bodhidharma Zazen

Season 9 Episode 163

Listen to the story of Bodhidharma, the blue-eyed monk who brought Zen to China, and his legendary feats - from crossing rivers on reeds to meditating until his legs fell off. Learn how his teachings…

Published on 9 months ago

The Salt God and the Magic of Salt (Ep. 162)

Season 8 Episode 162

Did you know there is a Shinto kami (god or spirit) of salt?

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Published on 9 months, 3 weeks ago

Turbo Granny and Her Fast-Footed Friends

Season 8 Episode 161

Turbo Granny is a Japanese urban legend about a fleet-footed old woman, but did you know she has friends?

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Published on 10 months ago