If you’re a fan of the Studio Ghibli film Princess Mononoke, you’ll definitely recognize the cute little Kodama creatures throughout the film.
In the movie, the little Kodamas represent the overall health of the forest and signify growth and continued life.
Each Kodama has a differently shaped head, but all have characteristic eyes and mouths that make them all look unique yet similar.
This film is a huge hit, so I wasn’t surprised to see this wide variety of Kodama tattoos.
I went looking for some of the best I could find, and here’s what I ended up with.
Colorful Kodama Tattoo
I love how bright and wild the colors are in this piece, giving the Kodama a surreal backdrop to this beautiful tattoo.
Kodama In A Bottle
This Kodama has such a mystical quality to it, and I think it’s mostly because of that beautiful green glow being reflected through the glass.
Kodama Forest Tattoo
Look at these little guys, just beckoning you into their little tiny forest. I’m getting kind of creepy vibes from this one, but I like how unique the perspective is nonetheless.
Kodama Looking up at the Stars
Out of this whole list, this one stuck out the most due to its dark contrast background, with the Kodama gazing up towards the stars.
Kodama Hand Tattoo
This was the first Kodama hand tattoo I came across, and absolutely adore the surrounding flowers and the soft pink gradients.
Kodama Mushroom Tattoo
We love mushroom tattoos, and this cute little Kodama perched on top of one is no exception.
Kodama in a Jar Tattoo
I can’t get over their little expressions, always looking surprised and in awe of whatever they are looking at.
This artist absolutely nailed that dark to light green gradient in the background.
Kodama Mushroom Forest Tattoo
I think the mushrooms are the standouts on this back-of-the-leg tattoo.
They also give a nice sense of scale with the character in the foreground.
Minimal Kodama Tattoo
The other good thing about the simple design of the Kodama is that they make for perfect minimalist tattoos. This is a great example of one on the side of someones leg.
Standing Kodama Tattoo
Here’s another simple one with the character perched on top of a small platform, with some grassy leaves behind him.
The grass is a small touch, but I think it really helps with the composition of this one.
Kodama Moth Tattoo
This has the color of a butterfly tattoo but the overall shape of a moth tattoo. Either way, the splash of color in the center is perfect for drawing attention to the subject.
Kodama Japanese Temple Tattoo
This is by far my favorite tattoo on the list.
I love it when artists use varying stroke widths to give contrast to the foreground and background elements, and this artist absolutely nailed it.
Kodama on Branch Tattoo
This placement on the arm is ideal for this long design using the branch as the core component. Plus you get more room for the little guys, what’s not to love there!
Kodoma Fungi Group
What’s better than one Kodama? Three of course.
These little fellas are just hanging around on some mushrooms, taking it all in.
Blue Kodama Group
I love how the artist took this in their own direction using these wonderful blue colors. The leaves on their bodies give a negative space kind of vibe, which I’m always a fan of.
Flower Kodama
Here’s another tiny Kodama, this time adorned with a few flowers that add a little pop of color.
Quadruple Kodama
They love the forest, so a twisted tree branch is a natural choice for a background for these kinds of tattoos. This one is particularly dynamic, showing off 4 of these guys on a variety of elevations.
Forest Kodama
I love how the artist frames this tattoo in this small oval shape. It provides a lot of contrast for the background, and the leaves popping out of the frame add a nice little sense of perspective.
Kodama Leaf Tattoo
Looks like someone might be a little shy! This fella is holding up a bright green leaf, using it as a mask to cover his face.
Mushroom Wonder
You’ve probably noticed that mushrooms are a theme with them at this point. He looks right at home on his little mushroom cap, peering towards the sky.
Flower Kodama Tattoo
This is a beautiful red ink tattoo that provides a perfect amount of color to an otherwise monochromatic piece.
Neon Kodama Tattoo
The color selection on this piece is absolutely insane! That bluish teal color absolutely pops off the otherwise black artwork, making this one of the highest contrast pieces of art on this list.
Kodama Foot Tattoo
This foot tattoo is a great size for someone wanting something a little bit smaller, but it still has a heavy impact with the way the tattoo artist framed the design.
Kodama Sticker Tattoo
Sticker tattoos are becoming pretty popular these days, and it’s easy to see why.
They add a lovely bit of 3D to an otherwise flat character, which is perfect for this subject.
Watercolor Kodama Tattoo
The artist took the client’s request and ran with it, which I appreciate. These 4 guys are chilling out with their mushrooms, framed by a beautiful blue and yellow gradient.
Haku Kodama Tattoo
Haku is a Japanese river spirit, and in this piece, he’s framing some of the little creatures inside.
This almost has a Trash Polka style to it.
Almost.
Summary
I hope you enjoyed this list of Kodama Tattoos, make sure to check out some of the other anime related tattoo lists below.
