Kukunochi-no-Kami

Kukunochi-no-Kami (久久能智神) is the tree deity recorded in the Kojiki (712 CE) and Nihon Shoki (720 CE). Born in the deity-birth phase by Izanagi and Izanami, he is the deity governing forests and timber. According to the Kojiki upper scroll on deity-birth, "next they produced the tree deity, named Kukunochi-no-Kami". He emerged following the sea and river deities in the lineage of land and deity production. The Nihon Shoki writes the name as Kukunochi-no-Kami; the deity name "Kukunochi" is traditionally interpreted as deriving from "the spirit of the stem (kuki)". Siblings born at the same time include Oyamatsumi-no-Kami (mountain deity), Kayanohime-no-Kami (field deity), and Shinatsuhiko-no-Kami (wind deity). The Nihon Shoki places the grass-ancestor Kusano-Hime alongside Kukunochi, showing a paired tree-grass structure. Veneration as the tree deity continues at shrine timber-cutting rites.