This Japanese word has no direct translation to English but means ‘the sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees’. It is made up of three Kanji characters:
木 means tree
漏 means ‘to leak’ or ‘to escape’
日 means sun
Komorebi 木漏日 ~ from Japanese. ‘Sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees
The word is also used for the interplay of leaves and light in the shadows on the ground beneath the trees. The closest equivalent in English probably ‘dappled sunlight’.
Komorebi is particularly beautiful when the sun is low or if there is an early mist or light fog. I never fail to feel restored and rejuvenated by this magical sight. And don’t we all feel cheered on a beautiful sunny day when the sun makes patterns on the pavement beneath a tree.
We should find a way to get away from artificial light from computer screens, phones and TVs and instead venture outdoors to experience Komorebi.
Old man playing jazz in Kyoto © Content Catnip 2018 http://www.contentcatnip.com
Extracted from Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li
Book Review: Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing by Dr Qing Li
[Pictured: Ryoan-Ji zen garden in Arashiyama, Kyoto. Content Catnip 2018]
Content Catnip 