The season is important for coming up with words to
use in a haiku. Because the poem has so few words, simple phrases
such as "cherry blossoms" or "falling leaves" can create lush
scenes, yet still reflect the feeling of the verse. Moreover,
season words also invoke other poems that use the same season
word, making the poem part of a rich historical tapestry through
allusive variation. In Japanese, the "kigo" or season word was
generally understood; "autumn breeze" might be known to express
loneliness and the coming of the dark winter season.
