winter sparrow; sparrow in winter
A seasonal word (kigo) for winter in haiku and traditional poetry. In folk belief, winter sparrows were thought to be especially tasty and to have medicinal or healing properties.
The winter sparrow is often used as a winter season word in haiku.
It was once believed that eating a winter sparrow would cure a cold.
Compound of 寒 (kan, 'cold, winter') and 雀 (suzume, 'sparrow'). The exact origin of the folk belief about its taste and healing properties is uncertain.