霞(かすみ)

かすみ
noun
haze, mist
literary
1. haze, mist
A thin, atmospheric phenomenon that reduces visibility, often appearing soft and dreamlike. In Japanese, it typically refers to spring mist.
春(はる)の朝(あさ)、山(やま)に霞(かすみ)がかかっていた。
On a spring morning, haze hung over the mountains.
霞(かすみ)の向(む)こうに富士山(ふじさん)がうっすら見(み)えた。
Mount Fuji was faintly visible through the haze.
遠(とお)くの景色(けしき)が霞(かす)んで見(み)える。
The distant scenery looks hazy.

霞(かすみ) refers to haze or mist, especially associated with spring in Japanese culture.

Seasonal distinction

  • 霞(かすみ): haze (spring season word)
  • 霧(きり): fog (autumn season word)

These are the same phenomenon but distinguished by season in Japanese poetry and culture.

Common expressions

Forms

POETIC/LITERARY

  • Often used in haiku and classical poetry
  • Associated with spring scenery and ephemeral beauty
  • 霞(かすみ)を食(た)べて生(い)きる: to live on air (idiom for living poorly)

Related Words

Related: 霧(きり) (fog (autumn))
Related: 濃霧(のうむ) (dense fog)
Related: 朝靄(あさもや) (morning mist)
Related: 翳(かす)む (to become misty)
Compare: 朝霧(あさぎり) (morning fog)
Compare: 夕靄(ゆうもや) (evening haze)
general
Added 2026.1.14 19:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
05000/05042_kasumi