Spore
Japanese: 胞子
Highly durable dormant structures that microorganisms form in response to environmental stress. Structure and function vary by type, such as fungal conidia and bacterial endospores.
Spores are like dormant capsules that microorganisms create to survive harsh environments. When nutrients run out or temperatures become extreme, some microorganisms form spores and enter a state of sleep.
The conidia produced by koji mold are spores for asexual reproduction. Visible as green powder, they spread on the wind. In contrast, the endospores formed by natto bacteria possess remarkable heat resistance, withstanding temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius.
Though both are called spores, their purposes and structures are entirely different.