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This week, Myths and Legends, it's the beginning of a tale about a samurai team up,

and a battle against the worst demon Japan has ever seen.

Also, how making animals sumo wrestle each other in the woods might get you an invitation to that

team. The creature this week is a monster that might be pure evil or a turtle who just wants to take a nap.

This is Myths and Legends, Episode 223A, the devil went down a Kyoto.

This is a podcast where we tell stories from mythology and folklore.

Some are incredibly popular stories, you might think you know, but with surprising origins.

Others are stories that might be new to you that are definitely worth losing.

Today's episode is set in Japan. In the 11th century, though the stories come from the 18th century,

we'll just jump right into a mystical land where samurai battle demons, goblins, spiders,

and, as I mentioned at the top of the show, make animals wrestle each other in the woods.

Kintaro, a boy of eight, sat in a clearing. Of course, he was officiating a sumo match between

a rabbit and a monkey, as one does. The deer and the bear were up next. Kintaro had grown up in

the forest, the only friends he had ever known were the animals. So, like Mogli, he could understand

...