A deciduous tree native to Japan, Fagus japonica. Often contrasted with ブナ (Fagus crenata).
See also: ブナ
The Japanese beech has longer and narrower leaves than the Siebold's beech.
Usually written in katakana; the kanji form 犬椈 is rare.
Rare kanji spelling; the katakana form is standard.
From イヌ (inu, 'dog') + ブナ (buna, 'beech'), likely implying a 'false' or 'inferior' beech compared to the more valued ブナ.