Japanese era name
The Japanese era calendar scheme is a common calendar scheme used in Japan, which identifies a year by the combination of the Japanese era name (年号, nengō, lit. year name) and the year number within the era. For example, the year 2024 is Heisei 36.
As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of nengō, also known as "gengō" (元号), was originally derived from Chinese Imperial practice, although the Japanese system is independent of the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese era-naming systems. Unlike these other similar systems, Japanese era names are still in use. Government offices usually require era names and years for official papers.
Sometimes an era name is expressed with the first letter of the romanized name. For example, S55 means Shōwa 55. At 64 years, Shōwa is the longest era to date.
Overview
The system on which the Japanese nengō are based originated in China in 140 BCE, and was adopted by Japan in 645 CE, during the reign of Emperor Kōtoku.
The first nengō to be assigned was "Taika" (大化), celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great Taika reform (大化の改新). Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive nengō was interrupted in the late seventh century, it was permanently re-adopted in 701 during the reign of Emperor Mommu (697-707). Since then, era names have been used continuously up through the present day.[1]
Historical nengō
Prior to the Meiji period, era names were decided by court officials and were subjected to frequent change. A new nengō was usually proclaimed within a year or two after the ascension of a new emperor. A new nengō was also often designated on the first, fifth and 58th years of the sexagenary cycle, because they were inauspicious years in Onmyōdō. These three years are respectively known as kakurei (革令), kakuun (革運), and kakumei (革命), and collectively known as sankaku (三革). Era names were also changed due to other felicitous events or natural disasters.
In historical practice, the first day of a nengō (元年, gannen) starts whenever the emperor chooses; and the first year continues until the next lunar new year, which is understood to be the start of the nengō's second year.[2]
Era names indicate the various reasons for their adoption. For instance, the nengō Wadō (和銅), during the Nara period was declared due to the discovery of copper deposits in Chichibu. Most nengō are comprised of two kanji, except for a short time during the Nara period when four-kanji names were sometimes adopted to follow the Chinese trend. Tenpyō Kanpō (天平感宝), Tenpyō Shōhō (天平勝宝), Tenpyō Hōji (天平宝字) and Tenpyō Jingo (天平神護) are some famous nengō names that use four characters. Since the Heian period, Confucian thoughts and ideas have been reflected in era names, such as Daidō (大同), Kōnin (弘仁) and Tenchō (天長).[citation needed] Although there currently exist a total of 247 Japanese era names, only 72 kanji have been used in composing them. Out of these 72 kanji, 30 of them have been used only once, while the rest have been used repeatedly in different combinations.
Nengō in modern Japan
Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the Keiō (慶応) era. On Sept. 8, 1868, the era name was changed to "Meiji" (明治), and a "one reign, one era name" (一世一元, issei-ichigen) system was adopted, wherein era names would change only upon imperial succession. This system is similar to the now-defunct Chinese system used since the days of the Ming Dynasty. The Japanese nengō system differs from Chinese practice, in that in the Chinese system the era name was not updated until the year following the emperor's death.
In modern practice, the first year of a nengō (元年, gannen) starts immediately upon the emperor's ascension to the throne and ends on December 31st. Subsequent years follow the Gregorian calendar.
For example, the Meiji era lasted until July 30th, 1912, when the emperor died and the Taishō (大正) era was proclaimed. 1912 is therefore known as both "Meiji 45" and "Taishō 1" (大正元年, Taishō gannen), although Meiji technically ended on Jul. 30th with Mutsuhito's death.
This practice, implemented successfully since the days of Meiji but never formalized, became law in 1979 with the passage of the Era Name Law (元号法, gengō-hō). Thus, since 1868, there have only been four era names assigned: Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa and Heisei, each corresponding with the rule of only one emperor. Upon death, the emperor is thereafter referred to by the era of his reign. For example, Mutsuhito is posthumously known as "Emperor Meiji" (明治天皇, Meiji Tennō).
NB: It is protocol in Japan that the reigning emperor should be referred to as Tennō Heika (天皇陛下, "His Majesty the Emperor") or Kinjō Tennō (今上天皇, "current emperor"). To call the current emperor by the current era name, i.e. "Heisei", even in English, is a faux pas, as this is—and will be—his posthumous name. Use of the emperor's given name (i.e., "Akihito") is rare in Japanese.
Conversion table from Gregorian calendar years to nengō
To convert a Japanese year to a Western or Gregorian calendar year, find the first year of the nengō (the nengō = the era name, see list below). When found, subtract 1, and add the number of the Japanese year. For example, the 23rd year of the Showa Era (Showa 23) would be 1948:
| CONVERSION TABLE: Gregorian calendar years / nengō | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Kanji | Romanization | Meaning | Notes |
| Asuka period (538-710) | ||||
| 645 | 大化 | Taika | "great change" | Emperor Kōtoku, 645-654.[3] |
| 650 | 白雉 | Hakuchi | "white pheasant" | |
| 654 | Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 654-686: See "Non-Nengō periods" section below | |||
| 686 | 朱鳥 | Shuchō | "vermillion bird" | also Suchō or Akamitori; Emperor Temmu, 672-686.[4] |
| 686 | Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 686-701: See "Non-Nengō periods" section below | |||
| 701 | 大宝 | Taihō | "great treasure" | also Daihō; Emperor Mommu, 697-707.[5] |
| 704 | 慶雲 | Keiun | "jubilant cloud" | also Kyōun; Empress Gemmei, 707-715.[6] |
| 708 | 和銅 | Wadō | "Japanese copper" | |
| Nara period (710-794) | ||||
| 715 | 霊亀 | Reiki | "ethereal tortoise" | Empress Genshō, 715-724.[7] |
| 717 | 養老 | Yōrō | "caring for the aged" | |
| 724 | 神亀 | Jinki | "divine tortoise" | also Shinki; Emperor Shōmu, 724-749.[8] |
| 729 | 天平 | Tenpyō | ... | also Tenbyō or Tenhei |
| 749 | 天平感宝 | Tenpyō-kanpō | ... | also Tenbyō-kanpō |
| 749 | 天平勝宝 | Tenpyō-shōhō | "heavenly peace and victorious treasure"[9] | also Tenbyō-shōhō or Tenpei-shōhō; Empress Kōken, 749-758.[10] |
| 757 | 天平宝字 | Tenpyō-hōji | ... | also Tenbyō-hōji or Tenpei-hōji; Emperor Junnin, 758-764;[11] Empress Shōtoku, 764-770.[12] |
| 765 | 天平神護 | Tenpyō-jingo | ... | also Tenbyō-jingo or Tenhei-jingo |
| 767 | 神護景雲 | Jingo-keiun | ... | |
| 770 | 宝亀 | Hōki | ... | Emperor Kōnin, 770-781.[13] |
| 781 | 天応 | Ten'ō | ... | Emperor Kammu, 781-806.[14] |
| 782 | 延暦 | Enryaku | ... | |
| Heian period (794-1192) | ||||
| 806 | 大同 | Daidō | ... | Emperor Heizei, 806-809;[15] Emperor Saga, 809-823.[16] |
| 810 | 弘仁 | Kōnin | ... | Emperor Junna, 823-833.[17] |
| 824 | 天長 | Tenchō | ... | Emperor Ninmyō, 833-850.[18] |
| 834 | 承和 | Jōwa | ... | also Shōwa or Sōwa |
| 848 | 嘉祥 | Kashō | "good augury" | also Kajō; Emperor Montoku, 850-858.[19] |
| 851 | 仁寿 | Ninju | ... | |
| 854 | 斉衡 | Saikō | ... | |
| 857 | 天安 | Ten'an | ... | also Tennan; Emperor Seiwa, 858-876.[20] |
| 859 | 貞観 | Jōgan | ... | Emperor Yōzei, 876-884.[21] |
| 877 | 元慶 | Gangyō | ... | also Gankyō or Genkei; Emperor Kōkō, 884-887.[22] |
| 885 | 仁和 | Ninna | ... | also Ninwa; Emperor Uda, 887-897.[23] |
| 889 | 寛平 | Kanpyō | ... | also Kanpei or Kanbyō or Kanbei or Kanhei; Emperor Daigo, 887-930.[24] |
| 898 | 昌泰 | Shōtai | ... | |
| 901 | 延喜 | Engi | ... | |
| 923 | 延長 | Enchō | ... | Emperor Suzaku, 930-946.[25] |
| 931 | 承平 | Jōhei | ... | also Shōhei |
| 938 | 天慶 | Tengyō | ... | also Tenkei or Tenkyō; Emperor Murakami, 946-967.[26] |
| 947 | 天暦 | Tenryaku | ... | also Tenreki |
| 957 | 天徳 | Tentoku | ... | |
| 961 | 応和 | Ōwa | ... | |
| 964 | 康保 | Kōhō | ... | Emperor Reizei, 967-969.[27] |
| 968 | 安和 | Anna | ... | also Anwa; Emperor En'yū, 969-984.[28] |
| 970 | 天禄 | Tenroku | ... | |
| 973 | 天延 | Ten'en | ... | |
| 976 | 貞元 | Jōgen | ... | also Teigen |
| 978 | 天元 | Tengen | ... | |
| 983 | 永観 | Eikan | ... | also Yōkan; Emperor Kazan, 984-986.[29] |
| 985 | 寛和 | Kanna | ... | also Kanwa; Emperor Ichijō, 986-1011.[30] |
| 987 | 永延 | Eien | ... | also Yōen |
| 988 | 永祚 | Eiso | ... | also Yōso |
| 990 | 正暦 | Shōryaku | ... | also Jōryaku or Shōreki |
| 995 | 長徳 | Chōtoku | ... | |
| 999 | 長保 | Chōhō | ... | |
| 1004 | 寛弘 | Kankō | ... | Emperor Sanjō, 1011-1016.[31] |
| 1012 | 長和 | Chōwa | ... | Emperor Go-Ichijō, 1016-1036.[32] |
| 1017 | 寛仁 | Kannin | ... | |
| 1021 | 治安 | Jian | ... | also Chian |
| 1024 | 万寿 | Manju | ... | |
| 1028 | 長元 | Chōgen | ... | Emperor Go-Suzaku, 1036-1045.[33] |
| 1037 | 長暦 | Chōryaku | ... | also Chōreki |
| 1040 | 長久 | Chōkyū | ... | |
| 1044 | 寛徳 | Kantoku | ... | Emperor Go-Reizei, 1045-1068.[34] |
| 1046 | 永承 | Eishō | ... | also Eijō or Yōjō |
| 1053 | 天喜 | Tengi | ... | also Tenki |
| 1058 | 康平 | Kōhei | ... | |
| 1065 | 治暦 | Jiryaku | ... | also Chiryaku |
| 1069 | 延久 | Enkyū | ... | Emperor Go-Sanjō, 1068-1073.[35] |
| 1074 | 承保 | Jōhō | ... | also Shōhō or Shōho; Emperor Shirakawa, 1073-1086.[36] |
| 1077 | 承暦 | Jōryaku | ... | also Shōryaku or Shōreki |
| 1081 | 永保 | Eihō | ... | also Yōhō |
| 1084 | 応徳 | Ōtoku | ... | |
| 1087 | 寛治 | Kanji | ... | Emperor Horikawa, 1087-1107.[37] |
| 1094 | 嘉保 | Kahō | ... | |
| 1096 | 永長 | Eichō | ... | also Yōchō |
| 1097 | 承徳 | Jōtoku | ... | also Shōtoku |
| 1099 | 康和 | Kōwa | ... | |
| 1104 | 長治 | Chōji | ... | |
| 1106 | 嘉承 | Kajō | ... | also Kashō or Kasō; Emperor Toba, 1107-1123.[38] |
| 1108 | 天仁 | Tennin | ... | |
| 1110 | 天永 | Ten'ei | ... | also Ten'yō |
| 1113 | 永久 | Eikyū | ... | also Yōkyū |
| 1118 | 元永 | Gen'ei | ... | |
| 1120 | 保安 | Hōan | ... | Emperor Sutoku, 1123-1142.[39] |
| 1124 | 天治 | Tenji | ... | also Tenchi |
| 1126 | 大治 | Daiji | ... | also Taiji |
| 1131 | 天承 | Tenshō | ... | also Tenjō |
| 1132 | 長承 | Chōshō | ... | also Chōjō |
| 1135 | 保延 | Hōen | ... | |
| 1141 | 永治 | Eiji | ... | |
| 1142 | 康治 | Kōji | ... | Emperor Konoe, 1142-1155.[40] |
| 1144 | 天養 | Ten'yō | ... | also Tennyō |
| 1145 | 久安 | Kyūan | ... | |
| 1151 | 仁平 | Ninpei | ... | also Ninpyō or Ninbyō or Ninhyō or Ninhei |
| 1154 | 久寿 | Kyūju | ... | Emperor Go-Shirakawa, 1155-1158.[41] |
| 1156 | 保元 | Hōgen | ... | also Hogen; Emperor Nijō, 1158-1165.[42] |
| 1159 | 平治 | Heiji | ... | also Byōji |
| 1160 | 永暦 | Eiryaku | ... | also Yōryaku |
| 1161 | 応保 | Ōhō | ... | |
| 1163 | 長寛 | Chōkan | ... | also Chōgan |
| 1165 | 永万 | Eiman | ... | also Yōman; Emperor Rokujō, 1165-1168.[43] |
| 1166 | 仁安 | Nin'an | ... | also Ninnan; Emperor Takakura, 1168-1180.[44] |
| 1169 | 嘉応 | Kaō | ... | |
| 1171 | 承安 | Jōan | ... | also Shōan |
| 1175 | 安元 | Angen | ... | |
| 1177 | 治承 | Jishō | ... | also Jijō or Chishō; Emperor Antoku, 1180-1185.[45] |
| 1181 | 養和 | Yōwa | ... | |
| 1182 | 寿永 | Juei | ... | Emperor Go-Toba, 1183-1198.[46] |
| 1184 | 元暦 | Genryaku | ... | |
| 1185 | 文治 | Bunji | ... | also Monchi |
| 1190 | 建久 | Kenkyū | ... | Emperor Tsuchimikado, 1198-1210.[47] |
| Kamakura period (1192-1333) | ||||
| 1199 | 正治 | Shōji | ... | |
| 1201 | 建仁 | Kennin | ... | |
| 1204 | 元久 | Genkyū | ... | |
| 1206 | 建永 | Ken'ei | ... | also Ken'yō |
| 1207 | 承元 | Jōgen | ... | also Shōgen; Emperor Juntoku, 1210-1221.[48] |
| 1211 | 建暦 | Kenryaku | ... | |
| 1213 | 建保 | Kenpō | ... | also Kenhō |
| 1219 | 承久 | Jōkyū | ... | also Shōkyū; Emperor Chūkyō, 1221;.[49] Emperor Go-Horikawa, 1221-1232.[50] |
| 1222 | 貞応 | Jōō | "righteous answer" | also Teiō |
| 1224 | 元仁 | Gennin | ... | |
| 1225 | 嘉禄 | Karoku | ... | |
| 1227 | 安貞 | Antei | ... | also Anjō |
| 1229 | 寛喜 | Kangi | ... | also Kanki |
| 1232 | 貞永 | Jōei | ... | also Teiei; Emperor Shijō, 1232-1242.[51] |
| 1233 | 天福 | Tenpuku | ... | also Tenfuku |
| 1234 | 文暦 | Bunryaku | ... | also Monryaku or Monreki |
| 1235 | 嘉禎 | Katei | ... | |
| 1238 | 暦仁 | Ryakunin | ... | also Rekinin |
| 1239 | 延応 | En'ō | ... | also Ennō |
| 1240 | 仁治 | Ninji | ... | also Ninchi; Emperor Go-Saga, 1242-1246.[52] |
| 1243 | 寛元 | Kangen | ... | Emperor Go-Fukakusa, 1246-1260.[53] |
| 1247 | 宝治 | Hōji | ... | |
| 1249 | 建長 | Kenchō | ... | |
| 1256 | 康元 | Kōgen | ... | Emperor Kameyama, 1260-1274.[54] |
| 1257 | 正嘉 | Shōka | ... | |
| 1259 | 正元 | Shōgen | ... | |
| 1260 | 文応 | Bun'ō | ... | also Bunnō |
| 1261 | 弘長 | Kōchō | ... | |
| 1264 | 文永 | Bun'ei | ... | Emperor Go-Uda, 1274-1287.[55] |
| 1275 | 建治 | Kenji | ... | |
| 1278 | 弘安 | Kōan | ... | Emperor Fushimi, 1287-1298.[56] |
| 1288 | 正応 | Shōō | ... | |
| 1293 | 永仁 | Einin | ... | Emperor Go-Fushimi, 1298-1301.[57] |
| 1299 | 正安 | Shōan | ... | Emperor Go-Nijō, 1301-1308.[58] |
| 1302 | 乾元 | Kengen | ... | |
| 1303 | 嘉元 | Kagen | ... | |
| 1306 | 徳治 | Tokuji | ... | |
| 1308 | 延慶 | Enkyō | ... | also Engyō or Enkei; Emperor Hanazono, 1308-1318.[59] |
| 1311 | 応長 | Ōchō | ... | |
| 1312 | 正和 | Shōwa | ... | |
| 1317 | 文保 | Bunpō | ... | also Bunhō; Emperor Go-Daigo, 1318-1339.[60] |
| 1319 | 元応 | Gen'ō | ... | also Gennō |
| 1321 | 元亨 | Genkō | ... | |
| 1324 | 正中 | Shōchū | ... | |
| 1326 | 嘉暦 | Karyaku | ... | |
| 1329 | 元徳 | Gentoku | ... | |
| 1331 | 元弘 | Genkō | ... | |
| 1334 | 建武 | Kenmu | ... | also Kenbu |
| Nanboku-chō period (1334-1392) | ||||
| *Nanboku-chō Southern Court | ||||
| 1336 | 延元 | Engen | ... | |
| 1340 | 興国 | Kōkoku | ... | |
| 1346 | 正平 | Shōhei | ... | |
| 1370 | 建徳 | Kentoku | ... | |
| 1372 | 文中 | Bunchū | ... | |
| 1375 | 天授 | Tenju | ... | |
| 1381 | 弘和 | Kōwa | ... | |
| 1384 | 元中 | Genchū | ... | Genchū 9 becomes Meitoku 3 in post Nanboku-chō reunification |
| *Nanboku-chō Northern Court | ||||
| 1332 | 正慶 | Shōkei | ... | also Shōkyō |
| 1333 | Northern court not in existence between 1333 and 1336; no era names apply from 1333 to 1338. | |||
| 1338 | 暦応 | Ryakuō | ... | also Rekiō |
| 1342 | 康永 | Kōei | ... | |
| 1345 | 貞和 | Jōwa | ... | also Teiwa |
| 1350 | 観応 | Kannō | ... | also Kan'ō |
| 1352 | 文和 | Bunna | ... | also Bunwa |
| 1356 | 延文 | Enbun | ... | |
| 1361 | 康安 | Kōan | ... | |
| 1362 | 貞治 | Jōji | ... | also Teiji |
| 1368 | 応安 | Ōan | ... | |
| 1375 | 永和 | Eiwa | ... | |
| 1379 | 康暦 | Kōryaku | ... | |
| 1381 | 永徳 | Eitoku | ... | |
| 1384 | 至徳 | Shitoku | ... | |
| 1387 | 嘉慶 | Kakei | ... | also Kakyō |
| 1389 | 康応 | Kōō | ... | |
| 1390 | 明徳 | Meitoku | ... | Meitoku 3 replaces Genchū 9 in post-Nanboku-chō reunification |
| Muromachi period (1392-1573) | ||||
| 1394 | 応永 | Ōei | ... | Emperor Shōkō, 1412-1428. [61] |
| 1428 | 正長 | Shōchō | ... | Emperor Go-Hanazono, 1428-1464.[62] |
| 1429 | 永享 | Eikyō | ... | also Eikō |
| 1441 | 嘉吉 | Kakitsu | ... | also Kakichi |
| 1444 | 文安 | Bun'an | ... | also Bunnan |
| 1449 | 宝徳 | Hōtoku | ... | |
| 1452 | 享徳 | Kyōtoku | ... | |
| 1455 | 康正 | Kōshō | ... | |
| 1457 | 長禄 | Chōroku | ... | |
| 1460 | 寛正 | Kanshō | ... | Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, 1464-1500.[63] |
| 1466 | 文正 | Bunshō | ... | also Monshō |
| 1467 | 応仁 | Ōnin | ... | |
| 1469 | 文明 | Bunmei | ... | |
| 1487 | 長享 | Chōkyō | ... | |
| 1489 | 延徳 | Entoku | ... | |
| 1492 | 明応 | Meiō | ... | Emperor Go-Kashiwabara, 1500-1526.[64] |
| 1501 | 文亀 | Bunki | ... | |
| 1504 | 永正 | Eishō | ... | |
| 1521 | 大永 | Daiei | ... | Emperor Go-Nara, 1526-1557.[65] |
| 1528 | 享禄 | Kyōroku | "heaven's favor" | |
| 1532 | 天文 | Tenbun | ... | also Tenmon |
| 1555 | 弘治 | Kōji | ... | Emperor Ōgimachi, 1557-1586.[66] |
| 1558 | 永禄 | Eiroku | ... | |
| 1570 | 元亀 | Genki | ... | |
| 1573 | 天正 | Tenshō | ... | Emperor Go-Yōzei, 1586-1611.[67] |
| 1592 | 文禄 | Bunroku | ... | |
| 1596 | 慶長 | Keichō | ... | also Kyōchō; Emperor Go-Mizunoo, 1611-1629.[68] |
| Edo period (1603-1867) | ||||
| 1615 | 元和 | Genna | ... | also Genwa |
| 1624 | 寛永 | Kan'ei | ... | Empress Meishō, 1629-1643;[69] Emperor Go-Kōmyō, 1643-1654.[70] |
| 1644 | 正保 | Shōhō | ... | |
| 1648 | 慶安 | Keian | ... | also Kyōan |
| 1652 | 承応 | Jōō | "receiving answers" | also Shōō; Emperor Go-Sai, 1655-1663.[71] |
| 1655 | 明暦 | Meireki | ... | also Myōryaku or Meiryaku |
| 1658 | 万治 | Manji | ... | |
| 1661 | 寛文 | Kanbun | "generous art" | Emperor Reigen, 1663-1687.[72] |
| 1673 | 延宝 | Enpō | "prolonged wealth" | also Enhō |
| 1681 | 天和 | Tenna | "heavenly Imperial peace" | also Tenwa |
| 1684 | 貞享 | Jōkyō | "taking righteousness" | Emperor Higashiyama, 1687-1709.[73] |
| 1688 | 元禄 | Genroku | "original happiness" | |
| 1704 | 宝永 | Hōei | "prosperous eternity" | Emperor Nakamikado, 1709-1735.[74] |
| 1711 | 正徳 | Shōtoku | "righteous virtue" | |
| 1716 | 享保 | Kyōhō | "undergoing and supporting" | Emperor Sakuramachi, 1735-1747.[75] |
| 1736 | 元文 | Genbun | "original civility" | |
| 1741 | 寛保 | Kanpō | "keeping lenient and generous" | also Kanhō |
| 1744 | 延享 | Enkyō | "becoming prolonged" | Emperor Momozono, 1747-1762.[76] |
| 1748 | 寛延 | Kan'en | "prolonging lenience" | |
| 1751 | 宝暦 | Hōreki | "valuable calendar" or "valuable almanac" | also Hōryaku; Empress Go-Sakuramachi, 1762-1771.[77] |
| 1764 | 明和 | Meiwa | "bright harmony" | Emperor Go-Momozono, 1771-1779.[78] |
| 1772 | 安永 | An'ei | "peaceful eternity" | Emperor Kōkaku, 1780-1817.[79] |
| 1781 | 天明 | Tenmei | "dawn" | |
| 1789 | 寛政 | Kansei | "tolerant government" or "broad-minded government" | |
| 1801 | 享和 | Kyōwa | ... | |
| 1804 | 文化 | Bunka | "culture" or "civilization" | Emperor Ninkō, 1817-1846.[80] |
| 1818 | 文政 | Bunsei | ... | |
| 1830 | 天保 | Tenpō | "heavenly Imperial protection" | also Tenhō |
| 1844 | 弘化 | Kōka | "becoming wide or vast" | Emperor Kōmei, 1846-1867. |
| 1848 | 嘉永 | Kaei | "eternal esteem" | |
| 1854 | 安政 | Ansei | "quiet peaceful government" | |
| 1860 | 万延 | Man'en | ... | |
| 1861 | 文久 | Bunkyū | "literate story" | |
| 1864 | 元治 | Genji | ... | |
| 1865 | 慶応 | Keiō | "jubilant answer" | |
| Modern Japan (1868-present) | ||||
| 1868 | 明治 | Meiji | "enlightened rule" | Emperor Meiji, 1868-1912. |
| 1912 | 大正 | Taishō | "great righteousness" | Emperor Taishō, 1912-1926. |
| 1926 | 昭和 | Shōwa | "enlightened peace" | Emperor Shōwa, 1926-1989. |
| 1989 | 平成 | Heisei | "peace everywhere" | Akihito, 1989-present [the reigning emperor]. |
Non-nengō periods
The nengō system that was introduced by Emperor Kōtoku was abandoned after his death; no nengō were designated between 654 and 686. The system was briefly reinstated by Emperor Temmu in 686, but was again abandoned upon his death approximately two months later. In 701, Emperor Mommu once again reinstated the nengō system, and it has continued uninterrupted through today.
Although use of the Gregorian calendar for historical dates has become increasingly common in Japan, the traditional Japanese system demands that dates be written in reference to nengō. The apparent problem introduced by the lack of nengō for the two periods above is resolved by referencing years of imperial reign. This is the same approach used when referencing periods that predate the introduction of the nengō system.
Although in modern Japan posthumous imperial names correspond with the eras of their reign, this is a relatively recent concept, introduced in practice during the Meiji period and instituted by law in 1979. Therefore, the posthumous names of the emperors and empresses who reigned prior to 1868 may not be taken as era names by themselves. For example, the year 572 -- the year in which Emperor Bidatsu assumed the Chrysanthemum Throne — is properly written as "敏達天皇元年" (Bidatsu-Tennō Gannen, lit. "the first year of Emperor Bidatsu"), and not "敏達元年" (Bidatsu Gannen, lit. "the first year of Bidatsu"), although it may be abbreviated as such.[1] By incorporating both proper era names and posthumous imperial names in this manner, it is possible to extend the nengō system to cover all dates from 660 through today.[2]
The following is an example of such an extension of the nengō system to include the post-Taika years not covered by a proper era name:
- Reign of Emperor Jimmu, 660-581 BC
- Reign of Emperor Suizei, 581-548 BC
- Reign of Emperor Annei, 548-510 BC
- Reign of Emperor Itoku, 510-475 BC
- Reign of Emperor Kōshō, 475-392 BC
- Reign of Emperor Kōan, 392-290 BC
- Reign of Emperor Kōrei, 290-214 BC
- Reign of Emperor Kōgen, 214-157 BC
- Reign of Emperor Kaika, 157-97 BC
- Reign of Emperor Sujin, 97-29 BC
- Reign of Emperor Suinin, 29-71
- Reign of Emperor Keikō, 71-131
- Reign of Emperor Seimu, 131-192
- Reign of Emperor Chūai, 192-201
- Regency of Empress Jingū, 201-270
- Reign of Emperor Ōjin, 270-313
- Reign of Emperor Nintoku, 313-400
- Reign of Emperor Richū, 400-406
- Reign of Emperor Hanzei, 406-412
- Reign of Emperor Ingyō, 412-454
- Reign of Emperor Ankō, 454-457
- Reign of Emperor Yūryaku, 457-480
- Reign of Emperor Seinei, 480-485
- Reign of Emperor Kenzō, 485-488
- Reign of Emperor Ninken, 488-499
- Reign of Emperor Buretsu, 499-507
- Reign of Emperor Keitai, 507-534
- Reign of Emperor Ankan, 534-536
- Reign of Emperor Senka, 536-540
- Reign of Emperor Kinmei, 540-572
- Reign of Emperor Bidatsu, 572-586
- Reign of Emperor Yōmei, 586-588
- Reign of Emperor Sushun, 588-593
- Reign of Emperor Suiko, 593-629
- Reign of Emperor Jomei, 629-645
- Taika era, 645-650
- Hakuchi era, 650–654
- Discontinuation of the nengō system, 654-686
- Reign of Empress Saimei, 655-662
- Reign of Emperor Tenji, 662-672
- Reign of Emperor Kōbun, 672-673
- Reign of Emperor Temmu, 673-686
- Shuchō era, 686
- Discontinuation of the nengō system, 686-701
- Reign of Empress Jitō, 686-697
- Reign of Emperor Mommu, 697-701
- Taihō era, 701-704
Imperial year
Kōki (皇紀), or Imperial year, is an epoch used before WW2. Kōki 1 is the year when Emperor Jimmu founded Japan, that is 660 BC. This epoch system was adopted in 1872. In terms of nationalism, Kōki emphasizes the long history of Japan and imperial family because it is a larger number than Common Era (C.E.).
Kōki 2600 (1940) was a special year. 1940 Summer Olympics and Tokyo Expo were planed as anniversary events, but canceled due to Second Sino-Japanese War.
After the Second World War, the United States occupied Japan, and stopped the use of Kōki by officials. Today, Kōki is rarely used.
Unofficial nengō system
In addition to the official nengō system, in which the era names are selected by the imperial court, one also observes—primarily in the ancient documents and epigraphs of shrines and temples—unofficial era names called shinengō (私年号), also known as ginengō (偽年号) or inengō (異年号). Currently, there are over 40 confirmed shinengō, most of them dating from the middle ages. Shinengō used prior to the reestablishment of the nengō system in 701 are usually called itsunengō (逸年号). A list of shinengō and more information can be seen in the Japanese wikipedia page ja:私年号.
Because official records of shinengō are lacking, the range of dates to which they apply is often unclear. For example, the well-known itsunengō Hakuhō (白鳳) is normally said to refer to 650-654 CE; a poetic synonym for the Hakuchi era. However, alternate interpretations exist. For example, in the Nichūreki, Hakuhō refers to 661-683 CE, and in some middle-age temple documents, Hakuhō refers to 672-685 CE. Thus, shinengō may be used as an alternative way of dating periods for which there is no official era name.
Other well-known itsunengō and shinengō include Hōkō (法興) (591-621+), Suzaku (朱雀) (686), Fukutoku (福徳) (1489-1492), Miroku (弥勒) (1506-1507 CE or 1507-1508) and Meiroku (命禄) (1540-1543).
The most recent shinengō is Seiro (征露) (1904-1905), named for the Russo-Japanese war.
Kyūshū nengō
Edo period scholar Tsurumine Shikenobu proposed that Kyūshū nengō (九州年号), said to have been used in ancient Kumaso, should also be considered a form of shinengō. This claim is not generally recognized by the academic community. Lists of the proposed Kyūshū nengō can be seen in the Japanese wikipedia pages ja:鶴峯戊申 and ja:九州王朝説.
References
- ^ Brown, Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, p.32.
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869, p. 321. [Example: Hōreki (1751-1761), meaning "Valuable Calendar, is proclaimed retroactively by Emperor Momozono in 1754.]
- ^ Brown, pp. 266-267; Varley, Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, pp. 132-133; Titsingh, pp. 47-50.Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, pp. 47]-50.
- ^ Brown, pp. 268-269; Varley, pp. 135-136; Titsingh, pp. 58-59.
- ^ Brown, pp. 270-271; Varley, pp. 137-140; Titsingh, pp. 60-63.
- ^ Brown, p. 271; Varley, p. 140; Titsingh, pp. 63-65.
- ^ Brown, pp. 271-272; Varley, pp. 140-141; Titsingh, pp. 65-67.
- ^ Brown, pp. 272-273; Varley, pp. 141-143; Titsingh, pp. 67-73.
- ^ " peace & great Buddhism" according to Bowman, John. (2000). Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture, p. 127; but 天平勝宝 literally means "heavenly peace & great treasure" -- the "treasure" designated gold found in Mutsu province early in this year (649) which was used to decorate Great Buddha of Nara which was then being built.
- ^ Brown, pp. 274-275; Varley, p. 143; Titsingh, pp. 73-75.
- ^ Brown, p. 275; Varley, pp. 143-144; Titsingh, pp. 75-78.
- ^ Brown, p. 276; Varley, pp. 144-147; Titsingh, pp. 78-81.
- ^ Brown, p. 276-277; Varley, pp. 147-148; Titsingh, pp. 81-85.
- ^ Brown, pp. 277-279; Varley, pp. 148-150; Titsingh, pp. 86-95.
- ^ Brown, pp. 279-280; Varley, p. 151; Titsingh, pp. 96-97.
- ^ Brown, pp. 280-282; Varley, pp. 151-164; Titsingh, pp. 97-102.
- ^ Brown, p. 282-283; Varley, p. 164; Titsingh, pp. 103-106.
- ^ Brown, pp. 283-284; Varley, pp. 164-165; Titsingh, pp. 106-112.
- ^ Brown, pp. 285-286; Varley, p. 165; Titsingh, pp. 112-115.
- ^ Brown, pp. 286-288; Varley, pp. 166-170; Titsingh, pp. 115-121.
- ^ Brown, pp. 288-289; Varley, pp. 170-171; Titsingh, pp. 121-124.
- ^ Brown, p. 289; Varley, pp. 171-175; Titsingh, pp. 124-125.
- ^ Brown, p. 289-290; Varley, pp. 175-179; Titsingh, pp. 125-129.
- ^ Brown, pp. 290-293; Varley, pp. 179-181; Titsingh, pp. 129-134.
- ^ Brown, pp. 294-295; Varley, pp. 181-183; Titsingh, pp. 134-138.
- ^ Brown, pp. 295-298; Varley, pp. 183-190; Titsingh, pp. 139-142.
- ^ Brown, p. 298; Varley, pp. 190-191; Titsingh, pp. 142-143.
- ^ Brown, pp. 299-300; Varley, pp. 191-192; Titsingh, pp. 144-148.
- ^ Brown, pp. 300-302; Varley, p. 192; Titsingh, pp. 148-149.
- ^ Brown, pp. 302-307; Varley, pp. 192-195; Titsingh, pp. 150-154.
- ^ Brown, p. 307; Varley, p. 195; Titsingh, pp. 154-155.
- ^ Brown, pp. 307-310; Varley, pp. 195-196; Titsingh, pp. 156-160.
- ^ Brown, pp. 310-311; Varley, p. 197; Titsingh, pp. 160-162.
- ^ Brown, pp. 311-314; Varley, pp. 197-198; Titsingh, pp. 162-166.
- ^ Brown, pp. 314-315; Varley, pp. 198-199; Titsingh, pp. 166-168.
- ^ Brown, pp. 315-317; Varley, pp. 199-202; Titsingh, pp. 169-171.
- ^ Brown, pp. 317-320; Varley, p. 202; Titsingh, pp. 172-178.
- ^ Brown, pp. 320-322; Varley, pp. 203-204; Titsingh, pp. 178-181.
- ^ Brown, pp. 322-324; Varley, pp. 204-205; Titsingh, pp. 181-185.
- ^ Brown, pp. 324-326; Varley, p. 205; Titsingh, pp. 186-188.
- ^ Brown, p. 326-327; Varley, pp. 205-208; Titsingh, pp. 188-190.
- ^ Brown, pp. 327-329; Varley, pp. 208-212; Titsingh, pp. 191-194.
- ^ Brown, pp. 329-330; Varley, p. 212; Titsingh, pp. 194-195.
- ^ Brown, pp. 329-330; Varley, p. 212; Titsingh, pp. 194-195.
- ^ Brown, pp. 333-334; Varley, pp. 214-215; Titsingh, pp. 200-207.
- ^ Brown, pp. 334-339; Varley, pp. 215-220; Titsingh, pp. 207-221.
- ^ Brown, pp. 339-341; Varley, pp 220; Titsingh, pp. 221-230.
- ^ Brown, pp. 341-343, Varley, pp. 221-223; Titsingh, pp 230-238.
- ^ Brown, pp. 343-344; Varley, pp. 223-226; Titsingh, pp. 236-238.
- ^ Brown, pp. 344-349; Varley, pp. 226-227; Titsingh, pp. 238-241.
- ^ Varley, p. 227; Titsingh, pp. 242-245.
- ^ Varley, pp. 228-231; Titsingh, pp. 245-247.
- ^ Varley, pp. 231-232; Titsingh, pp. 248-253.
- ^ Varley, pp. 232-233; Titsingh, pp. 253-261.
- ^ Varley, pp. 233-237; Titsingh, pp. 262-269.
- ^ Varley, pp. 237-238; Titsingh, pp. 269-274.
- ^ Varley, pp. 238-239; Titsingh, pp. 274-275.
- ^ Varley, p. 239; Titsingh, pp. 275-278.
- ^ Varley, pp. 239-241; Titsingh, pp. 278-281.
- ^ Varley, pp. 241-269; Titsingh, pp. 281-286, and Titsingh, p. 290-294.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 327-331.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 331-351.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 352-364.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 364-372.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 372-382.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 382-402.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 402-409.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 410-411.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 411-412.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 412-413.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 413.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 414-415.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 415-416.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 416-417.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 417-418.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 418-419.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 419.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 419-420.
- ^ Titsingh, pp. 420-421.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 421.
- Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). [ Jien, 1221], Gukanshō (The Future and the Past, a translation and study of the Gukanshō, an interpretative history of Japan written in 1219). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-03460-0
- Daijirin, 2nd edition
- Daijisen, 1st edition
- Titsingh, Isaac, ed. (1834). [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652], Nipon o daï itsi ran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon, tr. par M. Isaac Titsingh avec l'aide de plusieurs interprètes attachés au comptoir hollandais de Nangasaki; ouvrage re., complété et cor. sur l'original japonais-chinois, accompagné de notes et précédé d'un Aperçu d'histoire mythologique du Japon, par M. J. Klaproth. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.--Click for digitized, full-text copy of this book (in French)
- Kōjien, 5th edition
- Varley, H. Paul , ed. (1980). [ Kitabatake Chikafusa, 1359], Jinnō Shōtōki ("A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa" translated by H. Paul Varley). New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-04940-4
- 二中歴1 第一～第四（尊経閣善本影印集成） ISBN 4-8406-2314-7
- 二中歴2 第五～第十（尊経閣善本影印集成） ISBN 4-8406-2315-5
- 二中歴3 第十一～第十三（尊経閣善本影印集成） ISBN 4-8406-2316-3
- 所功, (1977). 日本の年号 揺れ動く＜元号＞問題の原点. 雄山閣.
- 井上清, (1989). 元号制批判 やめよう元号を. 明石書店. ISBN 4-7503-0236-8
See also
- Japanese calendar
- Jikkan Jūnishi -- (Sexagenary cycle)
- Holocene calendar (Jōmon Era)
External links
- Japanese resources:
- allcalendars.net -- convert Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengō
- japan-guide.com -- another converter relating Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengō and vice versa
- http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/intro/qa/13.htm
- http://www2.plala.or.jp/kamkamkam/gimon6/gimon66/297.htm
- http://www.koubunken.co.jp/Pense/2000/02.html
- -- comparative timeline of Chinese, Japanese and Korean historical events
- German resources: