TOHOKU

Almost immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, people in the Tohoku region started talking about encounters with ghosts. The region's culture and history may account for the reports. The area has experienced countless disasters and famines, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Over time, the spirits of the deceased have come to be perceived as a lingering and comforting presence. Host Peter Barakan learns how the spirits of lost loved ones can serve as a source of strength for people in Tohoku.

A storyteller tells a popular local folktale
Peter fishes for mysterious creatures called "kappa"
"The Legends of Tono" is a collection of local folktales
Kiyoshi Kanebishi researches ghost sightings and strange dreams, in order to consider their impact on the mind and emotions
The snowy landscape of the Tsugaru region

Transcript