宮島で最も美しいと言われる木ですが、観光地としては知られていない、むしろあまり知られていないことで大事に保存されている聖木です。案内板もありません。場所は紅葉谷公園の奥で、この木に縁のある人しかたどり着けない、とも言われています。
The Sacred Tree of Kukunochi is said to be the most beautiful tree on Miyajima. It is not known as a tourist attraction; rather, it is carefully preserved precisely because it remains largely unknown. There is no signboard marking its location. The tree lies deep within Momijidani Park, and it is sometimes said that only those who have a connection to it are able to find their way there.
紅葉谷の歩道から少しだけ外れたところにありますが、宮島の弥山は遭難する人もいるそうなので、この木を探して道からあまりにも外れた場所に行くのは危険です。とはいえどうしても行ってみたかった私は、勘に従って行ってみることにしました。遭難しないよう帰り方を確認しながら、なんとなく何かありそうな道を落ち葉を踏みながら進んで行きました。
すると、突如開けた場所の真ん中に、この聖木が鎮座していました。まさに聖木、マイナスイオンの影響か気のせいか、ここだけ空気が違う気がします。古代の人々がなぜ大樹を神と崇めたのかが分かる気がします。龍が宿ると言われていますが、幹がまるで龍の鱗のようで、本当に龍が天に昇っていくような姿です。
The tree stands slightly off the walking paths of Momijidani, but Mount Misen on Miyajima is known for cases of hikers getting lost. For this reason, straying too far from the trails in search of the tree can be dangerous. Even so, drawn by a strong desire to see it, I decided to trust my intuition. Carefully keeping track of my route to avoid getting lost, I followed a path that seemed to promise something, stepping through fallen leaves as I went.
Suddenly, the forest opened up, and there, standing quietly at the center of the clearing, was the sacred tree. It truly felt sacred—perhaps it was the effect of negative ions, or perhaps just imagination, but the air there seemed distinctly different. In that moment, I felt I could understand why ancient people revered great trees as deities. It is said that a dragon dwells within this tree, and its trunk, patterned like dragon scales, truly looks as though a dragon is ascending toward the heavens.
久久能智という不思議な名前は、諸説ありますが、”くく”は古代語で”木々”、”ち”は”命”、”生命力”を意味する語で、久久能智とは木々の命、という意味と考えられます。
The mysterious name Kukunochi has several proposed origins. One interpretation holds that kuku is an ancient word meaning “trees,” while chi signifies “life” or “vital force.” From this, Kukunochi may be understood as meaning “the life of trees.”
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