In the world, there are phenomenon called "kami." People from other lands may call them "spirits" or even "gods" but for us, they are just "kami."
There are many types of kami like the divine kami of the sun and moon or the humble kami of rocks or animals. Even humans can become kami if they become great enough. But in the same way that some humans can ascend and become kami, there are also stories of objects becoming kami.
When a "thing" reaches 100 years, it becomes alive. Upon what is both its hundredth and first birthday, it gains a soul and becomes aware. These are called "tsukumogami"; the kami of tools which are made by humans.
(Man-made gods in a sense.)
That is why it is important to care for even mere things. A mistreated thing will remember how it was treated and curse its master whereas a thing that has been treated well will serve its master in all times of need and to the very end.
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There are many types of kami like the divine kami of the sun and moon or the humble kami of rocks or animals. Even humans can become kami if they become great enough. But in the same way that some humans can ascend and become kami, there are also stories of objects becoming kami.
When a "thing" reaches 100 years, it becomes alive. Upon what is both its hundredth and first birthday, it gains a soul and becomes aware. These are called "tsukumogami"; the kami of tools which are made by humans.
(Man-made gods in a sense.)
That is why it is important to care for even mere things. A mistreated thing will remember how it was treated and curse its master whereas a thing that has been treated well will serve its master in all times of need and to the very end.
(In the end, it's just a folktale-sy story.)