also: すだま
noun
mountain demon; spirit of the mountains
Refers to mythical creatures or spirits believed to inhabit mountains and forests, often with a malevolent or eerie connotation. The reading すだま is rare and archaic.
魑魅魍魎という言葉は、山や川にすむ妖怪を指す。
The term 魑魅魍魎 refers to monsters and spirits that dwell in mountains and rivers.
古い伝説では、魑魅が旅人を惑わせたとされる。
In old legends, mountain demons are said to have led travelers astray.
Rare kanji form for the reading すだま, meaning a spirit or demon. The reading すだま is not commonly associated with 魑魅.
The term 魑魅 is of Chinese origin, combining 魑 (mountain demon) and 魅 (spirit that misleads). The reading すだま is a native Japanese word for a spirit or demon, but its exact derivation is uncertain.