John Rucynski returns for his third appearance on the Deep in Japan Podcast, and this time we hit the trail—literally. In this lighthearted yet insightful episode, we follow John through his many adventures hiking across Japan, including the ancient Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route, an unexpected encounter with a wild boar (spoiler: he got gored by the boar), and a cross-country bike ride for charity.
Along the way, we reflect on omotenashi (Japanese hospitality), the cultural and spiritual dimensions of pilgrimage, and what to consider when planning your own multi-day hike or long-distance ride. Pro tip: take care of your rear end—it might lock up on you.
We also dive into Craig Mod’s new book, Things Become Other Things, and his reflections on walking and transformation in Japan, as discussed in his recent appearance on the Rich Roll Podcast.
Featured links from John:
Mentioned in this episode:
🎧 Outro Music:
Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And be sure to join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) @DeepinJapanPod and Facebook. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening—and for being part of the Deep in Japan community!
*This episode originally aired in February 2023
In this episode, we welcome back Professor Steve McCarty for a deep dive into Kūkai the Universal, a historical novel by Ryōtarō Shiba, translated by Akiko Takemoto. Together, we explore the life, vision, and spiritual legacy of Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), one of Japan’s most influential Buddhist figures.
Steve McCarty, originally from Boston, holds a master’s degree in Asian religions from the University of Hawaiʻi and has spent 40 years living and teaching in Japan. A full professor for more than two decades, he currently lectures at Osaka Jogakuin University and JICA, where he educates international officials about Japanese society and culture. He writes extensively on Japanese religion, bilingualism, and intercultural education.
🔗 Explore his work: Japanned – Steve McCarty’s site
🎧 Outro: “Over the Mountain” by Buddhist hip-hop artist and former guest Gomyo Kevin Seperic. Support Gomyo’s family at GoFundMe – Kaori’s Treatment, and make sure to buy the album.
Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And be sure to join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) @DeepinJapanPod and Facebook. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening—and for being part of the Deep in Japan community!
*This episode originally aired in January 2021
Professor Steve McCarty shares his journey of living in Japan, reflecting on encounters with cultural icons like Alan Watts and Donald Keene. He explores how to balance assimilation with authenticity, consult and negotiate cross-culturally, and maintain both public and private selves in an international family. With local stories, insights on Buddhism, and reflections on what makes real haiku possible in any language, this episode offers practical wisdom for anyone navigating life abroad.
Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And be sure to join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) @DeepinJapanPod and Facebook. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening—and for being part of the Deep in Japan community!
*This episode originally aired in June 2020
Where did Japan come from—and how did its people see the world around them? In this episode of the Deep in Japan Podcast, professor and storyteller Steve McCarty takes us on a journey through 30,000 years of Japanese history and mythology. From the earliest humans and the rise of the Imperial line to the cultural heights of the Heian Period, he weaves together archaeology, legend, and spiritual insight.
Along the way, you’ll hear myths as powerful as anything in Greek tragedy—stories that shaped how the Japanese understood nature, gods, and themselves. The episode climaxes with a breathtaking vision of sacred mountains seen as a maṇḍala—an entire spiritual landscape you could walk through.
If you’re curious about where Japan’s unique worldview came from—or just love a good origin story—this one’s for you.
Enjoying the show? Please consider supporting us—every little bit helps keep the podcast going. And be sure to join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) @DeepinJapanPod and Facebook. For all inquiries, you can reach us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening—and for being part of the Deep in Japan community!
*This episode was originally aired in July 2022.
They came for a year and stayed for a lifetime. In this episode, we once again sit down with educator, researcher, author, and world-renouned pun-slinger, John Rucynski Jr., to discuss his latest anthology, A Passion for Japan: A Collection of Personal Narratives, a deeply human mosaic of stories from 31 contributors who didn’t just survive the culture shock of moving to Japan—they thrived in it.
If you enjoy listening to John and want to learn more, be sure to pick up a copy of his book, available here from the publisher. You can also find it on Amazon and other online booksellers.
Like what you hear? Please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron at Patreon.com. And if you'd like to reach out to us for a chat, you can find us on Twitter @DeepinJapanPod or email us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com
Thank you for listening!
What happens when a pun falls flat across cultures? Why does sarcasm get lost in translation? And can you actually teach someone to understand satire in a second language?
In this episode, we sit down with educator, researcher, author, and world-renouned pun-slinger John Rucynski Jr., co-editor of Bridging the Humor Barrier: Humor Competency Training in English Language Teaching, to explore the surprisingly complex world of teaching humor to English language learners. John walks us through:
We also talk about stuff John may not have been fully prepared for—like where he plans to bury bones someday. Funny, right? Whether you’re a language teacher, a linguist, or just someone who’s ever bombed a joke abroad, I hope this episode will give you something to smile—and think—about.
📚 Grab the book: Bridging the Humor Barrier is available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook from Multilingual Matters.
💬 Like what you hear? Leave us a review, share with your nerdy language teacher friends, and follow for more deep dives into culture, language, and laughter. And if you like what you hear, please consider supporting the show by becoming a patron at Patreon.com.
Got something to day? You can reach us on Twitter @DeepinJapanPod or via email at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com
Thanks for listening.
Originally aired in September of 2016, this episode is the third installment of a three-part series featuring Dr. Arudou Debito, a naturalized Japanese citizen and author of Embedded Racism: Japan’s Visible Minorities and Racial Discrimination. Due to its enduring relevance and popularity, this series has become a cult classic among listeners of the Deep in Japan podcast.
Episode Overview: Dr. Debito delves into the systemic nature of racism in Japan, drawing from his personal experiences and extensive research. Key topics discussed include:
Additional Resources: For those interested in exploring these topics further, Dr. Debito’s book, Embedded Racism, offers an in-depth analysis of racial discrimination in Japan. His website, debito.org, serves as a comprehensive resource on human rights and social justice issues in Japan.
Contact: You can reach us on Twitter @DeepinJapanPod or email us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com
Support: If you like what you hear, please support the show by becoming a patron at Patreon.com.
Thanks for listening!
Originally aired in September of 2016, this episode is the second installment of a three-part series featuring Dr. Arudou Debito, a naturalized Japanese citizen and author of Embedded Racism: Japan’s Visible Minorities and Racial Discrimination. Due to its enduring relevance and popularity, this series has become a cult classic among listeners of the Deep in Japan podcast.
Episode Overview: Dr. Debito delves into the systemic nature of racism in Japan, drawing from his personal experiences and extensive research. Key topics discussed include:
Additional Resources: For those interested in exploring these topics further, Dr. Debito’s book, Embedded Racism, offers an in-depth analysis of racial discrimination in Japan. His website, debito.org, serves as a comprehensive resource on human rights and social justice issues in Japan.
Contact: You can reach us on Twitter @DeepinJapanPod or email us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com
Support: If you like what you hear, please support the show by becoming a patron at Patreon.com.
Thanks for listening!
Originally aired in August of 2016, this episode is the first installment of a three-part series featuring Dr. Arudou Debito, a naturalized Japanese citizen and author of Embedded Racism: Japan’s Visible Minorities and Racial Discrimination. Due to its enduring relevance and popularity, this series has become a cult classic among listeners of the Deep in Japan podcast.
Episode Overview: Dr. Debito delves into the systemic nature of racism in Japan, drawing from his personal experiences and extensive research. Key topics discussed include:
Additional Resources: For those interested in exploring these topics further, Dr. Debito’s book, Embedded Racism, offers an in-depth analysis of racial discrimination in Japan. His website, debito.org, serves as a comprehensive resource on human rights and social justice issues in Japan.
Contact: You can reach us on Twitter @DeepinJapanPod or email us at deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com
Support: If you like what you hear, please support the show by becoming a patron at Patreon.com.
Music: The outro was "虹” (niji | raindobw) by SHAKKAZOMBIE. Listen here.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, I speak with Brian Daizen Victoria—Sōtō Zen priest, historian, and author of Zen Terror in Prewar Japan—to uncover a disturbing and often deliberately forgotten chapter in Buddhist history. We explore how Zen, far from being the purely peaceful tradition many imagine, became entangled with ultranationalism and domestic terrorism in 1930s Japan. Along the way, we dive headfirst into one of the most controversial questions in modern Japanese history: Was Emperor Hirohito responsible for Japan’s war crimes? Listen and judge for yourself.
Got something to say? Drop me a line on Twitter at @DeepinJapanPod or email deep.in.japan.podcast@gmail.com.
Thanks for listening, traveler of the ear. Yoroshiku. And rockets. 🚀
