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Kodama are believed to dwell in ancient or sacred trees throughout Japan. While they are mythical spirits and therefore not physically observable in the conventional sense, there are certain forests and regions in Japan known for their deep spiritual significance and association with such folklore. If one were to “seek” a Kodama in its traditional habitat, the following forests and areas are of cultural and spiritual significance: The first known mention of tree spirits is in Japan’s oldest known book, the Kojiki (Record of Thing’s Past) that talks about the tree god Wakunochi-no-kami, second born of the godling brood of Izanagi and Izanami.
The solemnity of this sound serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness between these spiritual beings and nature itself, evoking a sense of beauty and transience. Popular Culture Depictions and Interpretations Usually, that’s the oldest tree in the grove and it’s that tree that gave birth to the kodama in the first place. Presumably, a tree must grow very old for its soul to transform into a kodama but it’s not certain whether the required age is several decades, several centuries, or several millennia. Whatever the case, the kodama and its tree remain intrinsically linked – if one is hurt or dies, the other can’t live on, and vice versa. Japanese Woodcutters and the Kodama Spirits The oldest, 古多万, is ambiguous to say the least. The word breaks down into 古 – (ko; old) – 多- (da; many) – 万 (ma; 10,000). Because ancient Japanese had no writing system, when the Chinese writing system was adopted kanji characters were often selected for sound rather than meaning. Unrelated symbols were jammed together to approximate the pronunciation of existing Japanese words. This is the most likely explanation for the use of 古多万. But they were also a sound. Echoes that reverberated through mountains and valleys were said to be kodama. The sound of a tree crashing in the woods was also said to be the plaintive cry of a kodama. (In modern times this mountain echo is associated with the yokai yamabiko and not with kodama).You cannot place a branch card that would cause you to score more than 10 points this turn. (SEE Step 2 below). This 10-point maximum does not include any points gained from Decree cards. Try not to move any of the other cards on your tree. Once has a branch card has been scored, it is not allowed to be moved. Example Of Placing A Branch Card In the Kodama phase, players choose one of their Kodama to live in the tree and the Kodama awards points.
On Okinawa Island, tree spirits are called "kiinushii" and whenever a tree is cut down, one would first pray to kiinushii and then cut it. Also, when there is an echoing noise of what sounds like a fallen tree at the dead of night, even though there are no actual fallen trees, it is said to be the anguishing voice of kiinushii and it is said that in times like these, the tree would then wither several days later. The kijimuna, which is known as a yōkai on Okinawa, is also sometimes said to be a type of kiinushii or a personification of a kiinushii. [2] [5] In Aogashima, Izu Islands, people place small shrines at the base of cryptomeria (Japanese cedar) trees and still worship and pray to them. This is said to be the remainders of a nature-worshiping religion that once dominated.
Who are the Kodama?
Because the Shinto woodcutters of Japan believed in the kodama yokai, they were very careful with the trees they were cutting. Before trying to cut down or even trim a tree, the woodcutter would first make a small incision into the base of the tree to see if it “bleeds”. A tree that bled was said to be a kodama tree and wasn’t to be touched. Whilst many gamers out there may focus their attention on “bigger” titles, and with thousands of games flooding the market over the last few years, is Kodama: The Tree Spirits likely to take root, and grip people’s imaginations? Gameplay In Mitsune village, in Hachijō-jima, they still have a festival every year giving thanks and respect to “kidama-san” or “kodama-san,” hoping for forgiveness and blessing when they cut down trees for the logging industry. After placing a branch card, look at the icons on that card. You score 1 point for each instance of those icons in that contiguous line of cards. You do not score points for other instances of that icon if they are not part of this contiguous line of cards. It is said that this is also practiced to prevent the trees from being cut down which is regarded as a sin.
Personages en plots met betrekking tot de Japanse mythologie zijn een terugkerend hulpmiddel in producten die verband houden met manga, anime en videogames. More often than not, however, people can just hear the kodama as the prolonged groans of old forests, lingering in the air. These noises are usually interpreted as the death of a kodama and its tree, or as a prophecy of an upcoming tragedy. Sometimes, the noises simply indicate the continued work of the kodama yokai whose main charge is to tend to their forests.Slavic Mythology – Leshy: The Leshy is a forest spirit, often depicted as a tall man resembling a tree. He is the guardian of the animals, and he can lead travelers astray, making them lost in the forest. Each Kodama card depicts a tree spirit and the conditions they prefer for their new home. Decree Card Other known yōkai include kijimuna 一 which are “ small wood spirits” that are native to the island of Okinawa. Revered by locals and sometimes even referred to as mountain gods 一 the existence of Kodama, in this sense, is said to be intertwined with the trees they inhabit. They do this by tying a sacred rope called shimenawa around the body of certain trees 一 those that are old enough to supposedly be inhabited by the tree spirits.
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