Urban Legends

Haikyō Onsen – Japanese “urbex” amid the abandoned beauty of 1980s resorts

Extinct worlds Everything that lives leaves behind warmth. But here, in the heart of this abandoned onsen, only cold stones remain—cold cigarette vending machines and lonely toys scattered on the

Fur That Earns Billions – Yuru-kyara, or How Every Japanese Town Has Its Own Adorably Awkward Mascot

The Cat Samurai and the Crazy Eel Airplane Imagine an otter. A pink one. Wearing a diving helmet. With an unsettlingly wild-eyed stare and a plastic stick in its paw.

Teru Teru Bōzu – Take the Rain Away and Bring the Sun… or Snip!

A Bald Monk, a Little Rascal, a Girl with a Broom While in Japan—especially near the end of the rainy season—one may notice white, ghost-like dolls hanging by the windows

Yaji and Kita on the Tōkaidō Road – Samurai-Era Japan Through the Eyes of Two City Rogues in Trouble on the Countryside

Though their legs are as weak as old sandals, the bill keeps chasing them relentlessly... One day, they tried to hold a spirit-summoning séance with two alluring witches. It ended,

The Forgotten Torii Gate in the Concrete Underground – Amagamine Ochobo Inari

忘れ鳥居祈りの紙を水が舐める Forgotten torii – a prayer slip licked by water. - contemporary haiku, unknown author First comes the chill. The concrete walls are damp, and the air is thick with

Warai Onna – The Yōkai from the Mountains of Shikoku Who Brings Psychosis and Death Through Laughter

Don’t Go into the Mountains on the Ninth You might encounter her on the 1st, 9th, or 17th day of the month in the mountain forests of southern Japan –

History and Folklore

Each era (jidai), each tale, each legend is like a thread weaving the intricate fabric of national identity — from the pride of the samurai to stories whispered by the fire about mischievous yōkai and chilling yūrei. In Japanese storytelling, fear and wonder walk hand in hand, creating a mosaic where the worlds of kami and humans meet, where heroic deeds and tragic missteps, distant castles and urban alleys filled with ghosts of the past and living legends intertwine.

As we journey through Japanese history and folklore, we uncover not only past events, but also timeless questions about life, death, and humanity’s place in the universe. The extraordinarily rich history of the Japanese people, along with their vividly colorful mythology, offers an endless source of inspiration for both life and creativity.

Shadows of the Past: Thousands of Years of a Nation’s Turbulent History and Unbridled Mythic Imagination

妖怪と神

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"Strong Japanese Women"

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未開ソビエライ

An enthusiast of Asian culture with a deep appreciation for the diverse philosophies of the world. By education, a psychologist and philologist specializing in Korean studies. At heart, a programmer (primarily for Android) and a passionate technology enthusiast, as well as a practitioner of Zen and mono no aware. In moments of tranquility, adheres to a disciplined lifestyle, firmly believing that perseverance, continuous personal growth, and dedication to one's passions are the wisest paths in life. Author of the book "Strong Women of Japan" (>>see more)

Personal motto:

"The most powerful force in the universe is compound interest." - Albert Einstein (probably)

Mike Soray

(aka Michał Sobieraj)

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