noun
cutting word; kireji
A technical term in haiku and renga for a word that provides a pause or exclamation, such as や, かな, or けり. Used to create rhythm and emotional emphasis.
俳句では「切れ字」が重要な役割を果たす。
In haiku, the 'cutting word' plays an important role.
「古池や蛙飛びこむ水の音」の「や」は切れ字の一つだ。
The 'ya' in 'The old pond — a frog jumps in, the sound of water' is one of the cutting words.
季語 is a seasonal word required in haiku, while 切れ字 is a cutting word that provides a pause or exclamation.
From 切れ (kire, 'cutting') + 字 (ji, 'character'). The term refers to words that 'cut' the flow of a poem.