This week: two folktales from Japan. One is about a humble, happy stone cutter who becomes a power-mad, bitter stone cutter. The other is about, surprise surprise, supernatural occurrences at a Buddhist temple in a remote mountain region.
The creature of the week is...or are...the blue men of the Minch. They are blue, men, and very, very good at writing poetry.
Music:
"Fistful of Dub" by Spinning Merkaba
"Weathervane" by Blue Dot Sessions
"Teenage Dream" by Yusuki Tsutsumi
"Under Suspicion" by Lee Rosevere
"Lil Couak Part 1" by Couak Vador
"Paper Napkin" by Blue Dot Sessions
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Thank you for this wonderful podcast, I really enjoyed this episode. I was wondering if there was any way to get some sources on the story of the monk and the hunter? I teach a Japanese class and I’m interested in using this story :)
The “badger” is probably a tanuki. That is usually translated as racoon dog and it is a shapeshifter (and a real animal). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_raccoon_dog
The hunter is impure because his job is killing, which is forbidden in Buddhism, and in Shinto being associated with death means being ritually impure.
I’m catching up on the backlog of episodes and finally listened to this one. I’m Japanese-American and I’ve heard a version of the stone cutter story before. BTW, always use rice, not bread in Japanese folklore. The second story, I had not heard before. Could you please share the original name of the story, or at least a reference? Thanks!
i really love this first story. i was assigned a research paper for my myth and legends course and ive dabbled in your podcast here and there reading through your comments on the home page someone said this particular story resonated with them so i gave it a listen and was just moved! i immediately started writing the words just flowing out of me. the music selection was amazing as always. i found myself left with a lump in my throat this story was brilliant and your reading of it more so. thank you
I can’t get the damn story of the Stone Cutter out of my head… Literally, it’s been weeks since I listened to it and it pops up in my head at least 3 times a day. Does there happen to be a transcript available?? I looked but so far to no avail. I think I might be able to cook up a decent little screenplay based on the tale. Also, let me just tell you, your podcast has quickly become one of my 3 favorites EVER. You guys do an amazing job, keep it up!
-SlipperyPete