御魂 · みたま · kami_concepts

mitama

Spirit or soul of a kami.

Definition

Mitama refers to the spiritual essence or soul of a kami or individual after death. Within Shinto practices, individuals may worship the mitama to honor their ancestral spirits and seek guidance in life. Mitama can refer to both the divine essence of kami and the spirits of deceased, reflecting the belief in the ongoing connection between the living and the ancestral realm.

Etymology

The term consists of 'honorable' (御) and 'soul' (魂), indicating reverence towards spiritual entities.