The Wife Who Didn't Eat

A farmer in old Japan prays to the gods for a wife, someone who is kind, beautiful, and hardworking. What would be even better is if she didn’t eat at all, saving him both money and food. Imagine his surprise when just such a woman shows up at his house one night.

But all is not perfect. The gods have quite the sense of humor, and the farmer soon learns what kind of monster he is living with. But is it too late?

“The Wife Who Didn’t Eat” is author Thersa Matsuura’s retelling of a classic horror-tinged Japanese folktale, “Kwazu Nyobo”. Here she reads her version of the story followed by a short commentary with some of her research notes and thoughts on the tale.

Both the short story and commentary come in at just under one hour.

Thersa Matsuura is a published author of two short story collections, one nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. You can also find her on her podcast, Uncanny Japan, where she talks more about the more obscure parts of Japanese culture.

Reviews:

“Very soothing, educational and entertaining. Love this deep dive into Japanese culture. Not to mention just the right amount of Spooky.”

By Spooks76

“High production value and haunting storytelling helps shed light onto Japanese folklore. Teresa is clear, concise and highlights stories that might otherwise never be heard by Western ears. Highly recommend!”

By Jameswhojamesyu