古木

• 読み: こぼく
• ローマ字: koboku
• 漢字の分解: 古 (ko) — old, ancient | 木 (boku/ki) — tree
• 発音: /ko.bo.kɯ/

意味

Old tree; ancient tree. A tree of great age, often revered for its size, longevity, and spiritual significance.

A noun used in botany, cultural heritage, and religious contexts. Japan has a deep tradition of reverence for 古木, especially those designated as natural monuments (天然記念物). Sacred trees (御神木) at shrines and temples are often 古木 with origins tied to local mythology. Distinct from 老木, which emphasises aged appearance rather than historical or cultural significance.

例文

1. 境内に立つ古木は樹齢八百年とされ、村人たちに長年守られてきた。
2. 古木の根元に苔が生え、長い年月の重みを静かに物語っていた。
3. 林道を歩いていると、幹まわり数メートルもある古木に突然出くわした。

使い方ガイド

場面: cultural heritage, Shinto shrines, nature writing, botany

トーン: reverent

起源と歴史

Compound of 古 (ko, 'old, ancient') and 木 (boku/ki, 'tree'). A simple but evocative compound that appears in classical and modern Japanese to describe trees of remarkable age and presence.

文化的背景

時代: Classical–Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal