kodama
Kodama (木霊) are spirits from Japanese folklore believed to inhabit trees and forests. The term literally means "tree spirit" or "echo," reflecting the belief that a tree or grove houses a life force. In Shinto-tinged animism, kodama are often regarded as guardians or souls of nature rather than independent deities, and their presence is associated with the health of the forest.
In traditional lore, each tree or grove may host its own kodama. They are typically invisible to
In modern culture, kodama are frequently depicted as small, ethereal forest spirits. A well-known representation appears
The concept has influenced various works of fiction and video games, where kodama are used as symbolic