noun
first east wind of the year; first spring east wind
A seasonal word (kigo) for early spring, often used in haiku and traditional poetry. Refers to the first warm wind from the east that signals the arrival of spring.
初東風が吹き、梅の花がほころび始めた。
The first east wind of spring blew, and the plum blossoms began to open.
俳句では、初東風は春の季語としてよく使われる。
In haiku, hatsukochi is often used as a spring seasonal word.