As a type of meditative exercise, Kotodama Linguistics has its roots in Japanese culture since ancient times. With some poems dating to the fourth century, the compilation of waka poetry in the Manyoshu (‘collection of 10000 leaves’ compiled in 759 c.e.), is regarded as the earliest example that an informal type of study in Kotodama linguistics was being practiced and recorded by the people of Japan. Later, during the feudal Edo period, the study of finding ways to gain a deeper understanding of the mythical powers of the language strata emerged as a more formal academic pursuit. As a systematized field of study, Kotodama Linguistics had its height in the late 1800s during the Meiji Period, when the Imperial family were themselves involved in studying Kotodama Linguistics.


Kotodama Linguistics is the study of [the Japanese] language as a form of energy that connects mind with spirituality, as well as studying the hidden meaning of words through the study of the potential energy carried in the sound itself. For example, the single sound ‘A’ (ah), is connected to the expression of feeling, and is felt internally as in, "Aah, I’m surprised," "Aah, I see," and "Aah, I’m disappointed." In this way, the subconscious mind reacts sympathetically in response to the combinations of sounds of the 50 syllabary in resonance with different feelings and states of mind. The goal is to apply the understanding of the power of words as a form of mental awareness, or state of mind on the mind. By applying the spiritual power of the awareness of Kotodama, it may be possible to operate one’s mind in an evolved way through an understanding of the energetics of the individual sounds.


In the late 1800s, Mr. Kodo Yamakoshi, was appointed to generally assist and act as calligrapher for the Emperor Meiji in his research into defining the rules of Kotodama. The study formally centered on two old documents, one from the shrine of the Imperial court, and another from the Ichijo family records (Ichijo was the ‘Empress Consort Shoken’s’ maiden name). The study was then handed down to Akimasa Yamakoshi (Kodo Yamakoshi’s son) at the Meisei-kai Institute. Later, a graduate of this institute, Dr. Koji Ogasawara, continued teaching Kotodama Linguistics, and this is who taught Dr. Kenji Nanasawa. After reading Ogasawara’s book, "A Hundred Gods Residing in Kotodama," Nanasawa was impressed at the logical order by which sound is understood through Kotodama Linguistics. He contacted Ogasawara Sensei, coincidentally on his 72nd birthday, to request an interview to learn more. After their initial meeting, Nanasawa continued to study with Ogasawara on a daily basis for the next seven years. Nanasawa comments: "Having sat seiza (kneeling on shinbones and sitting on feet) for many hours in his room, we would exchange questions and answers in a sort of Zen style. He would often explain things by jotting down notes on a handbill. He was in a way a very strict master, and was a man of great spiritual power. I always strived to keep my mind clear, since the master could read through my every thought."


Kotodama Linguistics emerged as a systematized academic study during the late 1800s, when the Roman alphabet was first being applied to Japanese language. The combinations of the sounds of the Japanese language were being expressed as vowel and consonant letters. This led to contemplation of how to fit the spirit of the Japanese language that is built in from the culture, into a more objectively oriented simplification of the language to a basic format for direct communication. For example, the concept of mother and father sounds as the Japanese have linguistically conceptualized them can only be partially understood by the vowel / consonant model.　 Actively considering that the sound of language is evolved from a deeper level of human consciousness, is at the heart of the knowledge of Kotodama Linguistics.