Word of the Day: Komorebi

And an example from the newshole.

Komorebi 木漏れ日

(pronounced kō-mō-leh-bē)

Literally, “sunlight leaking through trees,” this word describes the beauty and wonder of rays of light dappling through overhead leaves, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor.

Komorebi on forest floor.
NAKASENDO WAY, APPROACHING TORII PASS, NAGANO PREFECTURE.

Like kōyō — the word that describes the changing leaves of autumn—the fact that there is a word to specifically describe the beauty of the sunshine filtering through the leaves of trees overhead invites us to notice and to take a moment to marvel at this wonder of nature.

from Komorebi—A Beautiful Japanese Word That English Needs


There is a Japanese word, “komorebi”, which was the original title of the [Wim Wenders Perfect Days] film. Literally translated, it means “sunlight leaking through trees”, but there’s more to it than that. It speaks of a profound connection with nature, and the necessity to pause, to take the time to absorb and appreciate the perfection of tiny, seemingly insignificant details.

| Wendy Ide