Back to Show
Monstrum
Fire Cat or Fire Cart? The History of Japan’s Kasha
Season 3
Episode 11
Swooping down from the heavens on a fire ball, the Kasha drags the bodies of the dead to the underworld for a life of damnation. Most frequently depicted as a demonic, flaming cat, the kanji for ‘Kasha’ actually translates to “Fire Cart". This episode explores the religious and artistic history of the Kasha and takes a look at the significant role of cats in Japanese culture.
Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Support Provided By

13:22
What inspired Pokémon’s Monster Mythology?

13:49
Horses have inspired countless equine folklore, but none are quite like the centaur.

11:02
Advances in technology are always met with some degree of technophobia—and villainization.

12:53
A majestic, all-white horse with a spiraled horn is just one depiction of many.

9:35
Bloody Mary is less important than the ritual that summons her.

9:32
Yuki-Onna, the icy snow maiden of Japanese lore, might steal your heart or your life.

10:41
This episode looks at how social media contributes to horror in the 21st century.

10:06
We explore Tiamat the “mother of monsters” in Mesopotamian mythology.

14:35
We find out when and why did the Mummy become the popular movie monster.

14:05
These monster faces make up a distinctive brand of horror in Hollywood.

9:43
This massive half-human, half-horse hybrid, the Filipino Tikbálang thrives on chaos.

12:33
What happens when plants themselves become conscious, and turn killers? We find out!