noun
high mountains and flowing water; sublime natural scenery
Evokes majestic, unspoiled nature; often used in literary or poetic contexts to describe breathtaking landscapes.
この絵には高山流水の趣がある。
This painting has the charm of high mountains and flowing water.
noun
sublime music; exquisite performance
Metaphorical extension: music so beautiful it evokes the grandeur of nature. Used in refined or artistic descriptions.
彼のピアノ演奏はまさに高山流水のようだった。
His piano performance was truly like sublime music.
A yojijukugo of Chinese origin, literally 'high mountain, flowing water'. The phrase originally comes from a story about a zither player and his friend who understood the music's depiction of nature, later extended to mean sublime art or deep friendship.