A
kigo is a word or phrase used in Japanese poetry that evokes a a particular season.
Usually, any mention or
Shallow Parody of
haiku (or Japanese poetry as a whole) will very likely mention cherry blossoms. We'll leave it to
The Other Wiki to tell us about the significance of
cherry blossoms * Actually, we don't have to, because the wiki has its own perfectly good page on the subject. God, we're good, aren't we?
(
sakura
) to Japanese culture, because the point here is that they only appear in spring. Mentioning them is a economical way of setting the season, and haiku is all about economy of expression.
Other common kigo are:
Spring:
Warm (
atatakashi or
nurumu), the warming weather;
uguisu, Japanese bush warbler, regarded as a harbinger of spring;
Frogs: especially their calling
Summer:
Hot/heat;
Rainy season starting in mid-June;
Wisteria which blooms in early summer and
lotus in late summer.
Autumn (Fall):
Coloured leaves;
Typhoon, typhoon season is roughly June-December;
Insects, implying singing insects such as crickets.
Winter:
Snow,
Cold,
fugu soup, a seasonal dish,
Christmas (modern).