The Wife Who Didn't Eat

by Thersa Matsuura

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.

Audible Audio

Published January 26, 2023

About the author

My name is Thersa Matsuura. I’m a Clarion West 2015 graduate and recipient of the HWA’s Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship. My most recent publications are Black Static, Dark Regions Press’ Madhouse Anthology, and the Fortean Times. I have a story forthcoming in Alessandro Manzetti’s THE BEAUTY IN DEATH anthology. My short story collection (A ROBE OF FEATHERS AND OTHER STORIES) was published by Counterpoint LLC.

I’m a long-term expat and have lived half my life in a small fishing town in Japan. I'm fluent in Japanese and use this to research parts of the culture that are unfamiliar to a western audience. I then spin this information into my own short fiction.

I also have a podcast: http://www.uncannyjapan.com/

And a Patreon page:https://www.patreon.com/thersamatsuura