Kodama nezumi are small, ball-shaped mouse-like creatures from the mountain forests of northeastern Japan, especially the Tōhoku region. According to legend, they are mysterious messenger animals connected to the mountain gods. Though rarely seen, they are feared for a strange and violent behavior: when the gods become angry, the creatures swell with pressure until they suddenly explode with a sound louder than a gunshot, scattering blood and flesh everywhere nearby.

The stories come from the Matagi, traditional hunters of northern Japan, who view these explosions as warnings from the mountain gods. Hearing one is considered a sign to stop hunting immediately and return home. Ignoring the warning is believed to bring bad luck, injury, avalanches, or other disasters.

Some legends claim that kodama nezumi are actually the reincarnated souls of hunters or woodsmen who disrespected the sacred mountains and angered the gods.

One well-known tale tells of a woman seeking shelter during a freezing winter night in the mountains. One group of hunters refused her because women were forbidden in the sacred mountain areas. Another group took pity on her and allowed her to stay. By morning, she had disappeared. The compassionate hunters were rewarded with a safe and successful hunt, while the hunters who rejected her were cursed by the woman—who was secretly a mountain goddess—and transformed into kodama nezumi forever.

All published appearances of Kodama Nezumi from before January 1, )-(95)}} are public domain in the US.

* This creature is prominently featured in episode 9 of '' Kiitaro's Yokai Picture Diary'', where it terrifies the main characters with its explosive inflation abilities.

*[https://yokai.com/kodamanezumi/?srsltid=AfmBOork5GprK1URdFOdRf5NLr7FBWeGfx9eF0CWzZP69Y7pRLJZFVde Yokai.com]
*[https://warriorsofmyth.fandom.com/wiki/Kodama-Nezumi Warriors of Myth Wiki]
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