unusually large tree; big old tree
Kantō dialect term for a notably large or impressive tree, often of an unclear species. Sometimes used as a placeholder name for a mysterious big tree.
At the entrance of the village, there is a big tree called 'nanjamonja'.
I wonder how many centuries old this huge tree is.
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or in botanical contexts.
Kanji spelling is rare and mostly seen in older texts or for stylistic effect.
The origin is uncertain. It likely derives from a Kantō dialect expression of surprise or wonder at a large tree, possibly from 何じゃ (what is it?) reduplicated.