Literally, komorebi means light filtering through trees. I learned about this concept as I watched the new Japanese movie Perfect Days directed by Wim Wenders.

The main character Hirayama played by legendary actor Koji Yakusho grinds through the daily course of Tokyo life cleaning public toilets. The plot thickens with a couple other characters, but the drama is limited around his daily routine as a janitor. There’s a repetitive scene where Hirayama reflects on komorebi in a city park while on lunch break. He finds a sense of peace with nature and this daily moment is something he treasures. In another repetitive scene, Hirayama enjoys the daily drive to work playing cassettes of classic rock music. His daily ritual evokes a peaceful presence amidst the chaos around him. The youth in the film seem drawn to his character given the chaos they face surviving the tough streets of Tokyo.

This movie harkened back to my own past. I recall having a few moments of komorebi in a stint functioning as a ‘salaryman’ in Tokyo. Good days and bad days overlapped. I remember those good days more, and especially, during times where nature provided a canopy from the grind of big city life. I don’t recall any ‘perfect days,’ but every day had beautiful moments when I noticed stuff like komorebi.

The movie is about the haiku of life. Every day is what you make of it. Enjoy the fleeting moments.