木俣

Kimata

The surname 木俣 (Kimata) is composed of two kanji characters: 木 (Ki) meaning 'tree' and 俣 (Mata) which refers to 'branch' or can imply 'shallow water' in some contexts. Thus, a literal translation of 木俣 would be 'tree branch' or 'branch of a tree'. In Japanese culture, trees are often symbolic of strength and longevity, and they hold significant importance, particularly in Shinto beliefs where they are seen as sacred beings. Historically, surnames like Kimata often originated from geographical features or occupations related to nature, indicating that families bearing this name may have had ties to an area rich in greenery or forestry.