What is a Kagerou? BJWotD#3

Beautiful Japanese Word of the Day #3

陽炎 (Kagerou)



”Kagerou is an optical phenomenon known as heat haze or heat simmer in Japanese”

Hot air rises above the ground, creating a mass of heat, which makes objects look as though they are shimmering. Often times it reflects the ground creating a mirror-like effect. 

Writer's note: I watched an anime called Kagerou Days a while back and I had no idea what was going on the entire time. The songs were nice though. Can anyone relate?
 I don't hear this word much but when I do, it's often used in a metaphor. "The grass was swaying in the wind like a kagerou."