巨 木(きょぼく)

きょぼく

noun

giant tree; great tree

1. giant tree; great tree; large old tree

An exceptionally large tree, often old and revered. In Japan, giant trees are sometimes designated as natural monuments.

森(もり)の奥(おく)に巨木(きょぼく)がそびえている。

A giant tree towers deep in the forest.

この巨木(きょぼく)は樹齢(じゅれい)千年(せんねん)を超(こ)えると言(い)われている。

This giant tree is said to be over a thousand years old.

屋久島(やくしま)の縄文杉(じょうもんすぎ)は日本(にほん)で最(もっと)も有名(ゆうめい)な巨木(きょぼく)の一(ひと)つだ。

The Jomon cedar on Yakushima is one of the most famous giant trees in Japan.

Usage

Often associated with nature worship and spirituality. In Japan, particularly large or old trees at shrines are sometimes wrapped with 注連縄(しめなわ) (sacred rope) and revered as sacred. The word carries a sense of awe and majesty.

Common collocations

巨木(きょぼく)がそびえる (a giant tree towers)
巨木(きょぼく)の森(もり) (a forest of giant trees)
天然記念物(てんねんきねんぶつ)の巨木(きょぼく) (a giant tree designated as a natural monument)

Similar words

大木(たいぼく): large tree — similar but slightly less dramatic
古木(こぼく): old tree — emphasizes age rather than size
御神木(ごしんぼく): sacred tree — a tree revered at a shrine

Related Words

Compare: 大木(たいぼく) (large tree)

Compare: 御神木(ごしんぼく) (sacred tree)

Compare: 樹齢(じゅれい) (age of a tree)

Compare: 老木(ろうぼく) (old tree)

general

Added 2026.3.16 14:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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