Because “sunlight filtering through trees” does not express the same feeling

Komorebi is a word that we English speakers could really use. And not just to add to our vocabulary, but also to our lives. It is formed from the Japanese word for “tree,” 木, the word that means “to leak,” 漏れ, and the word for “sun,” 日.

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.

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.

There is a profound peace and sense of tranquility that one can absorb from simply stopping to appreciate the transient beauty of komorebi.

Photos ©Diane Neill Tincher

The post Komorebi—A Beautiful Japanese Word that English Needs first appeared on More Than Tokyo and is written by Diane Tincher.

“Leaves changing color” is more than just cumbersome

There are several Japanese words that English needs. Kōyō is one of them.

Koyo 紅葉 (kōyō, pronounced koh-yoh)

Koyo literally means “red leaves,” but the word conveys much more. It represents the whole experience of the autumnal leaf color change.

The fact that a word has been devised to describe the changing leaves of autumn gives significance to the event. There is attention paid to the change of seasons, to the trees, to the many and varied hues of the leaves. There is awe at the wonder and beauty of nature.

The word koyo indicates stopping what we are doing to take a moment to admire the glory of the autumn leaves.

Here are a few lovely koyo viewing places in Japan. There are thousands more.

Nikkō, Tochigi:

Oirase Gorge, Aomori:

Omoshiroyama Highlands, Yamagata:

Kyoto:

Takachiho Gorge, Miyazaki:

What are your favorite koyo viewing spots? Let me know in your responses.

Have you heard of Komorebi? It’s another beautiful Japanese word that English needs.

Photos ©Diane Neill Tincher

The post Koyo—The Awesome Autumnal Word English Needs first appeared on More Than Tokyo and is written by Diane Tincher.