50 Is Yamaguchi cursed to have"ugly" girls? (Places in Japan Known for "Beautiful" & "Ugly" Women)

50 Is Yamaguchi cursed to have"ugly" girls? (Places in Japan Known for "Beautiful" & "Ugly" Women)

Author: JapanKyo.com August 21, 2021 Duration: 52:22

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Yamaguchi cursed to have "ugly" girls? We also discuss other places in Japan known for having many beautiful/ugly women.

Topics Discussed

  • The three most scenic views in Japan
  • What the Sandaibijin (三大美人) is
  • What places in Japan are most known for having beautiful women
  • Fukuoka (Hakata), Akita, and Kyoto's status as places in Japan known for having many beautiful women
  • How Kanazawa/Ishikawa/Kaga is known for having beautiful women
  • Some theories about why Hakata, Akita and Kyoto (supposedly) have so many beautiful women
  • The theory that short days and humid climate contributes to the white and moist skin of Akita's women
  • How white/fair skin is considered beautiful by many in Japan
  • The theory that the women of Kyoto are cultured and refined so that results in there being so many beautiful women in Kyoto
  • The theory that collagen consumption via motsunabe and chicken helps produce the beautiful women of Hakata
  • How pleasure districts might be connected to the impression that Akita, Fukuoka, and Kyoto have many beautiful women
  • The idea that the Sea of Japan side of Japan is home to many beautiful women
  • The theory that genetic mixing may be a reason for why the Sea of Japan side of Japan supposedly has so many beautiful women
  • What the Sandaibusu (三大ブス) is
  • The three places in Japan known for having "ugly women"
  • Sendai, Nagoya, and Mito's status as the three places in Japan known for having many ugly women
  • The theory that claims Tokugawa Yoshifusa sent groups of "ugly" women to Sendai, Nagoya, and Wakayama
  • Nagoya's reputation as a boring place
  • The so-called urban legend that women from Yamaguchi are all ugly
  • The story of Oman's curse as a possible explanation for why women from Yamaguchi are supposedly ugly
  • Throwing snakes at women
  • And much more!

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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.

Here are some of the Japanese language articles found when researching the topic of this episode.

 

 

Don't forget to check out the latest episodes of the Japan Station podcast via the links below.

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Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

  • Bijin
  • Busu

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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Full Show Notes


Curious about why some Japanese words sound so specific or what really lies behind a historical anecdote you heard? Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com digs into exactly those kinds of inquiries. Hosts Tony and Ryan, both holding master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics, use listener questions as a starting point for deep, conversational explorations. Their approach is grounded in personal experience living in Japan and thorough research using Japanese and English sources, which allows them to move beyond surface-level explanations. Within this podcast, you'll hear discussions that weave together language quirks, societal norms, and lesser-known historical threads, all while gently correcting common misunderstandings about the country. It feels less like a formal lecture and more like joining two knowledgeable friends who are eager to share what they've learned. Whether the topic is a subtle cultural practice, the etymology of a phrase, or an event from Japan's past, each episode builds a richer, more nuanced picture. The result is a consistently engaging listen for anyone wanting to move past stereotypes and develop a deeper, more informed appreciation for Japan and its language.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 86

Ichimon Japan: A Podcast About Japan and the Japanese Language by JapanKyo.com
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