Japanology Plus: Season 2020, Episode 5

2020 - 5: Tohoku Nine Years On: Voices of the Deceased

In March 2011, a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami devastated communities on the east coast of Tohoku, northeast Japan. We visit the region 9 years on, to learn how people coped with the disaster and its aftermath. This time, we learn about folklore in Tono, where legends about supernatural beings serve as a medium for sharing the advice of ancestors. Our guests include Yuko Kikuchi, a professional storyteller. She speaks about the local tales, and explains why they're so important.