Kukunochi (久久能智神 – Tree Trunk Elder)
is the
kami
are the deities, divinities, spirits, phenomena or "holy powers", that are venerated in the Shinto religion. They can be elements of the landscape, forces of nature, or beings and the qualities that these beings express; they can also be the sp ...
of trees, the kami is also called Ki-no-kami,
or Kuku-no-shi. He is the brother of
Ōyamatsumi
Ōyama-tsumi or Ohoyama-tsumi (Kojiki: 大山津見神 or Nihon Shoki: 大山祇神, 大山積神, 大山罪神; Ōyama-tsumi-mi'oya-no-mikoto 大山祇御祖命) is a god of mountains, sea, and war in Japanese mythology. He is an elder brother o ...
, Shimatsuhiko, and
Watatsumi
, also pronounced Wadatsumi, is a legendary ''kami'' (神, god; deity; spirit), Japanese dragon and tutelary water deity in Japanese mythology. is believed to be another name for the sea deity Ryūjin (龍神, Dragon God) and also for the , wh ...
.
It is possible Kukunochi was originally a tama that dwelled in trees. Kukunochi is found in older records.
Along with
Toyoukehime this kami is considered a
yafunegami.
Many versions state he was born from
Izanami
, formally known as , is the creator deity
A creator deity or creator god (often called the Creator) is a deity responsible for the creation of the Earth, world, and universe in human religion and mythology. In monotheism, the single God ...
and
Izanagi, while others state he is the son of
Shinatsuhiko.
He is worshipped today on the occasion of roof raising ceremonies and the blessing of new houses.
References
Japanese gods
{{Japan-myth-stub