shikigami

Shikigami are supernatural entities originating from Japanese folklore and esoteric traditions, particularly within the context of Shugendō, a syncretic religious practice blending Shinto, Buddhist, and Taoist elements. The term *shikigami* (仕来神) translates roughly to "spirit that comes to serve," reflecting their role as protective or service-oriented spirits bound to serve humans.

Traditionally, shikigami were believed to be created through specific rituals, often involving the invocation of deities, ancestral spirits, or natural forces. These spirits were thought to manifest in various forms, such as animals, plants, or abstract entities, and were summoned to assist individuals in tasks ranging from protection to healing. In some accounts, shikigami were associated with the practice of *fudō* (風呂), where practitioners would enter a trance-like state to commune with spirits, often through meditation or ritualistic bathing.

Shikigami gained prominence in esoteric texts like the *Konjaku Monogatari* and were later referenced in later-period works, including *Uji Shikigami* (宇治仕来神), a collection of spirit invocations. They were sometimes depicted as obedient and loyal, but in rare cases, they could be mischievous or malevolent if misused or improperly summoned. Their influence extended into popular culture, appearing in literature, theater, and later in modern media.

While shikigami are not widely worshipped in contemporary Japan, they remain a fascinating aspect of historical spiritual practices, illustrating the complex interplay between nature, divinity, and human agency in traditional belief systems. Their legacy endures in studies of Japanese mysticism and folklore as symbols of the boundary between the mundane and the supernatural.