A kodama (木霊, 木魂, or 木魅?) 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.
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.
- Kodama appears in the Magic: The Gathering card game in the Kamigawa block. An example of a Kodama in Magic: The Gathering: Kodama of the North Tree.
- Many video games such as the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Persona series feature kodama.
References
- Mizuki, Shigeru (2003). Mujara 1: Kantō, Hokkaidō, Okinawa-hen. (in Japanese). Japan: Soft Garage, p. 51. ISBN 4-8613-3004-1.
See also
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Mythic texts and folktales: |
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| Religions | Sacred objects | Creatures and spirits |
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