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
The 'ya' in 'The old pond — a frog jumps in, the sound of water' is one of the cutting words.
Standard spelling for this literary term.
Abbreviated spelling; also common.
From 切れ (kire, 'cutting') + 字 (ji, 'character'). The term refers to words that 'cut' the flow of a poem.