Koropokkuru (コロポックル, koropokkuru, "men under the petasite leaves" in Ainu) are in Ainu mythology dwarfs living underground and in the stems of coltsfoot or petasite leaves (especially in one of the largest of all petasites in Japan).
The size of a child's foot, these "goblins" are strictly speaking plant kamuys ("spirits" in Ainu language).
Established in the forests, they appear to the lost traveller to guide him on his way.
Contrary to other beliefs, Ainu legends do not consider that their spirits speak to them, in the sense of expressing themselves with articulated words.
But the sounds and attitudes must be interpreted to understand the meaning of the message sent by the kamuys.