Final answer:
A kigo is a season word included in traditional Japanese haiku poetry to indicate or symbolize the season the poem is associated with, and it is essential in creating the intended natural and temporal context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kigo is a term from traditional Japanese literature, specifically referring to the season word in a haiku poem. Haiku is characterized by its three unrhymed lines that follow a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. The inclusion of a kigo is a crucial element because it serves to associate the poem with a particular season, thereby anchoring it in the natural world. This seasonal reference is implicitly understood within the culture and adds depth to the haiku by bringing in seasonal associations and emotions.
Traditionally, haiku poetry focuses on themes related to nature or the seasons, and the use of a kigo helps to evoke a specific seasonal image or mood. This connects to the broader Japanese aesthetic of savoring the moment and appreciating the transient beauty of the world around us, concepts which are central to many other Japanese art forms and cultural expressions.