stones and trees; inanimate objects
Literal meaning: rocks and trees, or by extension, inanimate natural objects. Often used in contrast to living, feeling beings.
Some people say that even rocks and trees have a spirit.
apathetic person; cold-hearted person
Figurative use: a person who seems as unfeeling as a rock or tree. Implies emotional coldness or lack of empathy.
Archaic term for brown coal (lignite). Cross-referenced with 亜炭. Not used in modern Japanese.
See also: 亜炭
He is a cold-hearted person who doesn't consider others' feelings.
In the past, brown coal was called 岩木.
No matter how you plead with him, his expression never changes—he's like a stone or tree.
People aren't made of stone and wood, so it's fine to cry when you're sad.
亜炭 is the modern term for brown coal (lignite), while 岩木 is the archaic word for the same substance.
Standard kanji spelling for the literal 'rocks and trees' sense and the figurative 'cold-hearted person' sense.
Alternate kanji spelling; less common but still used.
Compound of 岩 (rock) and 木 (tree). The figurative sense derives from the idea of being as unfeeling as inanimate natural objects. The archaic 'brown coal' sense is a separate, now obsolete usage.