The origin of the concept of “Word Soul” (kotodama) in ancient Japan

Abstract

The concept of “Word Soul” (kotodama) was elaborated in Japan during the Tokugawa period, but this concept originated in ancient Japan. The author analyses offcial chronicles “Nihon Koki” and “Shoku Nihon Koki” to fnd evidence of Japanization of court life and argues that the celebration of the 40th birthday of Emperor Nimmyo in 849 was part of the process. During this celebration monks of Kofukuji temple presented a long poem compiled in the Japanese language. They thought that “Word Soul” lived only in Japanese and not in other languages.