Kodama (spirit)

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Toriyama Sekien's illustration of a kodama appearing as an old man.

A kodama (木霊, 木魂, or 木魅, kodama^?) is a spirit from Japanese folklore, which is believed to live in certain trees (similar to the Hamadryad of Greek myth). Cutting down a tree which houses a kodama is thought to bring misfortune, and such trees are often marked with shimenawa rope.

The word can also refer to an echo.

[edit] Popular culture

Kodama appear most famously in the animated film Princess Mononoke, in which they are portrayed as small, white humanoids with large, rattling heads and mask-like features.
Many video games such as the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Persona series feature kodama.
There is also a tiny ninja spirit in Oh My Goddess! by the name of Kodama.

[edit] References

Mizuki, Shigeru (2003). Mujara 1: Kantō, Hokkaidō, Okinawa-hen. (in Japanese). Japan: Soft Garage, p. 51. ISBN 4-8613-3004-1.

[edit] See also

Dryad

	Japanese mythology and folklore
	Mythic texts and folktales: Kojiki \| Nihon Shoki \| Otogizōshi \| Yotsuya Kaidan Urashima Tarō \| Kintarō \| Momotarō \| Tamamo-no-Mae Divinities: Izanami \| Izanagi \| Amaterasu Susanoo \| Ame-no-Uzume \| Inari List of divinities \| Kami \| Seven Lucky Gods Legendary creatures: Oni \| Kappa \| Tengu \| Tanuki \| Fox \| Yōkai \| Dragon Mythical and sacred locations: Mt. Hiei \| Mt. Fuji \| Izumo \| Ryūgū-jō \| Takamagahara \| Yomi
	Religions \| Sacred objects \| Creatures and spirits