You are walking in the forest and something is watching you from the trees. Not in a threatening way. In a curious way. In the way of something very small and very ancient that has been here much longer than you have and finds you genuinely interesting. You cannot quite see it. But you know it is there.
The Kodama
Kodama are tiny forest spirits from Japanese folklore, ancient beings who inhabit trees and sometimes special stones, giving them personality and presence and life. They are protectors of the forest, keeping it healthy and nurtured from within, and their existence in a tree was considered sacred. When a tree was known to be home to a kodama, a shimenawa rope was tied around its trunk as both a remembrance and a warning. To cut down that tree was to invite a curse upon yourself. The forest protected its own.
Their name appears in writing as far back as 931 CE, recorded in a Heian period dictionary, which tells you something about how long people have understood that forests are alive in ways that go beyond what we can measure. Hayao Miyazaki brought them to a new generation in Princess Mononoke, those small white rattling spirits moving quietly through the ancient trees, and anyone who has seen that film has understood immediately and without explanation exactly what they are.
They are the feeling you get in an old forest when you slow down enough to notice it.
The Piece
Three kodama, one for each ear on three different adventures. Each one is about half an inch tall and has its own completely distinct personality. One sits quietly with hands folded, the contemplative one, the one who has been watching this particular tree for a very long time and has thoughts about it. One tilts their head to the side with that characteristic kodama curiosity, the one who heard something interesting and needs to investigate. One stands with arms spread wide, the enthusiastic one, the one who is very pleased you came to the forest today and wants you to know it.
Every kodama was hand formed from recycled sterling silver, hand textured to give them that particular quality of something that has been in the woods a long time, and given a darkening patina so their features read clearly even at this tiny scale. Sterling silver posts and push backs throughout.
You receive all three as a set, which means you choose your kodama based on the day and the mood and the adventure ahead.
The Craftsmanship
- Earrings: approximately 0.5 inches tall each, set of three
- Material: recycled sterling silver throughout, oxidized patina
- Style: post studs with sterling silver push backs
- Edition: made to order, each set unique
A Note from Tamara
I made these because kodama feel like they belong in my world anyway. They are forest spirits who have been living quietly in old trees since before anyone thought to write them down, and Miyazaki understood them perfectly when he put them in Princess Mononoke. I made three different poses because different days call for different kodama energy. Some days you are the contemplative one. Some days you are the curious one with your head tilted. Some days you are absolutely the one with your arms out. I hope whoever wears these finds the right kodama for every adventure and stops to listen to the trees a little more often.
Shipping
Your kodama will be made to order just for you in my little studio in the New Hampshire woods. Please allow one to two weeks for them to be created. You will receive a tracking number by email so you can follow them on their journey to their new home.