The Haunting of Kawara-no-in: Why Did Minamoto no Tōru’s Spirit Appear After Death Saying “This Is My House”?
Minamoto no Tōru’s Kyoto mansion, haunted first by his spirit, then by a nameless demon. We separate history from tale and add our own reading.
What Is Palmistry? Why the Lines of the Palm Have Been Believed to Reflect Fate and Character
A plain guide to palmistry: origin theories, Cheiro, the seven lines, how our choice-based tool works, and our own commentary.
Why Has Kanashibari (Sleep Paralysis) Been Told Worldwide as the Experience of “Something Sitting on Your Chest”?
Why do accounts of something on the chest match worldwide? We weigh Fudo Myoo's rite, Old Hag lore and sleep paralysis, then read the presence.
The White Rabbit of Inaba: How a Lie and the Right Treatment Divided Fortunes
A rabbit that tricked the crocodiles was skinned, then healed by Okuninushi’s right care. We record this Kojiki myth of Hakuto Coast and reflect on it
Ryujin Onsen: The Bath a Dragon God’s Oracle Opened
A mountain ascetic found rising steam; a century later, a monk's vision of a dragon god formally opened this spring. Why two stages?
What Is Blood-Type Fortune-Telling? History, Science, and How to Enjoy It
A plain guide to blood-type fortune-telling: the ABO discovery, Furukawa and Nomi, what the science says, blood type harassment, and our own view.
Why Does the Thunder God Take Children’s Navels? The Demon-Shaped Thunder Deity and the “Kuwabara” Charm
Why hide your navel and chant "Kuwabara"? From the demon-shaped thunder god to Michizane as thunder deity, we read people's fear of the sky.
Tsuchinoko Republic: A Village That Bet on an Unfindable Creature
A depopulating Nara village turned sightings of the legendary snake-like tsuchinoko into its own “republic.” The 1-million-yen bounty remains unpaid.
Why Is a Snapped Geta Thong Considered Ominous? The Taboo on Night Footwear and the Memory of Funeral Sandals
Why did a geta thong snapping at the door foretell death? We trace night-footwear taboos and funeral sandals, and read footwear and death our way.
What Is Zodiac Sign Fortune-Telling? The Origins of the 12 Signs and the History of Reading Fortune from a Single Birthday
Sun-sign horoscopes explained: origins of the 12 signs, signs versus constellations, how newspaper horoscopes began, and our results.