Kodama
nature_spirit forest Japanese single tradition · 3
Kodama are diminutive tree spirits of Japanese folklore.
↻ synthesized from 3 sources
When
- First attested
- 712 CE
- Attested period
- 712 – 2020
- Historical notes
- First mentioned in the Kojiki in 712 CE.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- Mogwai, pari-pari, Peris, Tien, Yaksha, kidama-sama, kiinushii, yamabiko, Al Ana, Diwata, huli jing, kitsune
- syncretized with
- Kukunochi no Kami
- manifests as
- atmospheric ghost lights, beasts, humans
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“ Kodama - diminutive tree spirits of Japanese folklore.”
#4296 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“These spirits are considered to nimbly bustle about mountains at will. A kodama's outer appearance is very much like an ordinary tree, but if one attempts to cut it down, one would become cursed, etc., and it is thus considered to have some kind of mysterious supernatural power”
#8464 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001
“This anomaly is also sometimes called "kodama", when it is thought to be the answering voice of a tree spirit (木霊 or 木魂).”
#8792 · extracted by google/gemini-2.0-flash-001