kodama

A Kodama is spirit in Japanese folklore believed to inhabit ancient trees. They symbolize the life force of forests, and harming their host tree is said to bring misfortune. Kodama are often depicted as small, mysterious beings or simply as echoes in the woods. They gained modern recognition through Princess Mononoke, where they appear as white, rattling forest spirits. Kodama represent nature’s sacredness and the idea that forests are alive with unseen presence.

These are very dear to my heart as I’ve been working on “The Chosen Ones” for over a year now (and still working on them as we speak, but getting very close to having them all completed). This continued process has taught me that perfection never existed on this planet in the first place. It is a pure figment of my “former designer”imagination.

Despite being born out of one mold, they are each very unique by their own right. Just like humans. I have had ZERO control over its fate once they were in their curing stage. They did not choose to be born this way, yet this is how each came out to be.

Their scale is small because I love mini things, but also a reflection of how insignificant humans are when looked at from 30000+ft. I left them white for a few reasons – a symbolic gesture of purity, but also bcz its “Chosen” siblings will remain white as well. The accents of gold emphasize how our imperfections are an asset to our human experience as it teaches us strength + resilience.

A Kodama is spirit in Japanese folklore believed to inhabit ancient trees. They symbolize the life force of forests, and harming their host tree is said to bring misfortune. Kodama are often depicted as small, mysterious beings or simply as echoes in the woods. They gained modern recognition through Princess Mononoke, where they appear as white, rattling forest spirits. Kodama represent nature’s sacredness and the idea that forests are alive with unseen presence.

1.5″ x 2.5″ | water based ecoresin + mixed media