Kodama

Toriyama Sekien's illustration of a kodama appearing as an old man.

A kodama (木霊, 木魂, or 木魅) is a tree spirit in Japanese folklore

Appearance

Kodama have both inhuman and human appearances, and that they may appear as beautiful or as terrible as they wish. Many are depicted as having an initially adorable appearance.

Powers

Kodama are surprisingly strong and powerful, due to their usually vast age and free communication with the planet and forces beyond the understanding of many other animals. It is believed that these spirits may transmigrate to another tree or be reborn through their seed.

Behavior

Cutting down a tree which houses a kodama is thought to bring misfortune, and such trees are often marked with shimenawa rope. Kodama are generally wise and peaceful but dislike those who have no respect for the environment and who take it for granted.

Art/Fiction

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.
Many video games such as the Shin Megami Tensei series and the Persona series feature kodama.
there is also a tiny ninja spirit in Oh My Goddess! by the name of Kodam

Kodama as depicted in the animated film Princess Mononok.

Sources

Part of this article consists of modified text from Wikipedia, and the article is therefore licensed under GFDL.