Halloween Countdown 2018, Day 20

Today I have another spooky podcast recommendation for you! Actually, I’m recommending two podcasts, but they are sister podcasts, both hosted by the wonderful Tara A. Devlin, and both devoted to creepy Japanese stories. Both share a website, too!


(Kuchisake-onna art by Cageyshick05.)

Kowabana: ‘True’ Japanese Scary Stories from around the Internet is “a fortnightly Japanese horror podcast specialising in Japanese creepypastas, urban legends, and other ‘true’ scary stories.” All stories are translated and narrated by Tara A. Devlin.

Toshiden is “a fortnightly show looking at the truth behind various Japanese urban legends. Horror author and translator Tara A. Devlin takes you down the rabbit hole to find out whether these legends have any truth to them, how they came about, and why they exist.”

I am thoroughly enjoying both of these podcasts. Toshiden is the newer of the two with a shorter backlog, however, so if you’re looking for a starting place, it won’t take long to catch up with these episodes. I love the fact that Devlin researches the origins of these urban legends to seek out whether or not any kernel of truth inspired them and how these stories mutated in the wild. Devlin also has a dramatic voice made for narration, which makes listening to both of these podcasts a spooky delight.

I recommend starting with the first Toshiden episode, which is dedicated to the urban legend of Kuchisake-onna. Here is the episode’s description:

“'Am I pretty?’ she asks before removing her mask, revealing her mouth cut from ear-to-ear. Kuchisake-onna is the Japanese urban legend of urban legends. Find out how she came to be and the truth behind her story right here.”

(Kuchisake-onna art by Kageyshick05.)