JAPANESE ERA NAME
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(Redirected from Japanese era)
The 'Japanese era calendar scheme' is a common calendar scheme used in Japan, which identifies a year by the combination of the and the year number within the era. For example, the year 2006 is Heisei 18, and 2007 is Heisei 19.
As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of nengÅ, also known as , 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 ShÅwa 55. At 64 years, ShÅwa is the longest era to date.
The system on which the Japanese nengÅ are based originated in China in 140 BCE, and was adopted by Japan in 645 CE, during the reign of Emperor KÅtoku.
The first nengÅ to be assigned was , celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great . Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive nengÅ 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]
Prior to the Meiji period, era names were decided by court officials and were subjected to frequent change. A new nengÅ was usually proclaimed within a year or two after the ascension of a new emperor. Besides changes in imperial reign, a new nengÅ was also normally designated at two points in each sexagenary cycle (the first and the 58th years), because these years were considered to be auspicious according to the Chinese astrological principles. Era names were also changed due to other felicitous events or natural disasters.
In historical practice, the first day of nengÅ (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 nengÅ's second year.[2]
Era names indicate the various reasons for their adoption. For instance, the nengÅ , during the Nara period was declared due to the discovery of copper deposits in Chichibu. Most nengÅ 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. , , and are among the famous nengÅ names in four characters. Since the Heian period, Confucian thoughts and ideas have been reflected in era names, such as , and . 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.
Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the era. On Sept. 8, 1868, the era name was changed to , and a 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 nengÅ are unlike the Chinese system (in which the era name was not updated until the year following the emperor's death).
In modern practice, the first year of a reign (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 era was proclaimed. 1912 is therefore known as both "Meiji 45" and , 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 . Thus, since 1868, there have only been four era names assigned: Meiji, TaishÅ, ShÅwa 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 .
NB: It is protocol in Japan that the reigning emperor should be referred to as ''TennÅ Heika'' (天皇陛下, "His Majesty the Emperor") or ''KinjÅ TennÅ'' (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.
To convert a Japanese year to a Western or Gregorian calendar year, find the first year of the nengÅ (''the nengÅ = 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:
:::ILLUSTRATION: '1926 − 1 = 1925' ..., and then '1925 + 23 = 1948' ... or Showa 23.
★ 645 大化 Taika
★ 650 白雉 Hakuchi
★ 654 (Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 654-686: See "Non-NengÅ periods" section below)
★ 686 朱鳥 ShuchÅ or SuchÅ or Akamitori
★ 686 (Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 686-701: See "Non-NengÅ periods" section below)
★ 701 å¤§å® TaihÅ or DaihÅ
★ 704 慶雲 Keiun or KyÅun
★ 708 和銅 WadÅ
★ 715 霊亀 Reiki
★ 717 é¤Šè€ YÅrÅ
★ 724 神亀 Jinki or Shinki
★ 729 天平 TenpyÅ or TenbyÅ or Tenhei
★ 749 å¤©å¹³æ„Ÿå® TenpyÅ-kanpÅ or TenbyÅ-kanpÅ
★ 749 天平å‹å® TenpyÅ-shÅhÅ or TenbyÅ-shÅhÅ or Tenpei-shÅhÅ
★ 757 天平å®å— TenpyÅ-hÅji or TenbyÅ-hÅji or Tenpei-hÅji
★ 765 å¤©å¹³ç¥žè· TenpyÅ-jingo or TenbyÅ-jingo or Tenhei-jingo
★ 767 神è·æ™¯é›² Jingo-keiun
★ 770 å®äº€ HÅki
★ 781 天応 Ten'Å
★ 782 延暦 Enryaku
★ 806 å¤§åŒ DaidÅ
★ 810 å¼˜ä» KÅnin
★ 824 天長 TenchÅ
★ 834 承和 JÅwa or ShÅwa or SÅwa
★ 848 嘉祥 KashÅ or KajÅ
★ 851 ä»å¯¿ Ninju
★ 854 斉衡 SaikÅ
★ 857 天安 Ten'an or Tennan
★ 859 貞観 JÅgan
★ 877 元慶 GangyÅ or GankyÅ or Genkei
★ 885 ä»å’Œ Ninna or Ninwa
★ 889 寛平 KanpyÅ or Kanpei or KanbyÅ or Kanbei or Kanhei
★ 898 昌泰 ShÅtai
★ 901 延喜 Engi
★ 923 延長 EnchÅ
★ 931 承平 JÅhei or ShÅhei
★ 938 天慶 TengyÅ or Tenkei or TenkyÅ
★ 947 天暦 Tenryaku or Tenreki
★ 957 天徳 Tentoku
★ 961 応和 ÅŒwa
★ 964 åº·ä¿ KÅhÅ
★ 968 安和 Anna or Anwa
★ 970 天禄 Tenroku
★ 973 天延 Ten'en
★ 976 貞元 JÅgen or Teigen
★ 978 天元 Tengen
★ 983 永観 Eikan or YÅkan
★ 985 寛和 Kanna or Kanwa
★ 987 永延 Eien or YÅen
★ 988 永祚 Eiso or YÅso
★ 990 æ£æš¦ ShÅryaku or JÅryaku or ShÅreki
★ 995 é•·å¾³ ChÅtoku
★ 999 é•·ä¿ ChÅhÅ
★ 1004 寛弘 KankÅ
★ 1012 é•·å’Œ ChÅwa
★ 1017 å¯›ä» Kannin
★ 1021 治安 Jian or Chian
★ 1024 万寿 Manju
★ 1028 é•·å…ƒ ChÅgen
★ 1037 長暦 ChÅryaku or ChÅreki
★ 1040 é•·ä¹… ChÅkyÅ«
★ 1044 寛徳 Kantoku
★ 1046 永承 EishÅ or EijÅ or YÅjÅ
★ 1053 天喜 Tengi or Tenki
★ 1058 康平 KÅhei
★ 1065 治暦 Jiryaku or Chiryaku
★ 1069 延久 EnkyÅ«
★ 1074 æ‰¿ä¿ JÅhÅ or ShÅhÅ or ShÅho
★ 1077 承暦 JÅryaku or ShÅryaku or ShÅreki
★ 1081 æ°¸ä¿ EihÅ or YÅhÅ
★ 1084 応徳 ÅŒtoku
★ 1087 寛治 Kanji
★ 1094 å˜‰ä¿ KahÅ
★ 1096 永長 EichÅ or YÅchÅ
★ 1097 承徳 JÅtoku or ShÅtoku
★ 1099 康和 KÅwa
★ 1104 é•·æ²» ChÅji
★ 1106 嘉承 KajÅ or KashÅ or KasÅ
★ 1108 å¤©ä» Tennin
★ 1110 天永 Ten'ei or Ten'yÅ
★ 1113 永久 EikyÅ« or YÅkyÅ«
★ 1118 元永 Gen'ei
★ 1120 ä¿å®‰ HÅan
★ 1124 天治 Tenji or Tenchi
★ 1126 大治 Daiji or Taiji
★ 1131 天承 TenshÅ or TenjÅ
★ 1132 長承 ChÅshÅ or ChÅjÅ
★ 1135 ä¿å»¶ HÅen
★ 1141 永治 Eiji
★ 1142 康治 KÅji
★ 1144 天養 Ten'yÅ or TennyÅ
★ 1145 久安 KyÅ«an
★ 1151 ä»å¹³ Ninpei or NinpyÅ or NinbyÅ or NinhyÅ or Ninhei
★ 1154 久寿 KyÅ«ju
★ 1156 ä¿å…ƒ HÅgen or Hogen
★ 1159 平治 Heiji or ByÅji
★ 1160 永暦 Eiryaku or YÅryaku
★ 1161 å¿œä¿ ÅŒhÅ
★ 1163 長寛 ChÅkan or ChÅgan
★ 1165 永万 Eiman or YÅman
★ 1166 ä»å®‰ Nin'an or Ninnan
★ 1169 嘉応 KaÅ
★ 1171 承安 JÅan or ShÅan
★ 1175 安元 Angen
★ 1177 治承 JishÅ or JijÅ or ChishÅ
★ 1181 養和 YÅwa
★ 1182 寿永 Juei
★ 1184 元暦 Genryaku
★ 1185 文治 Bunji or Monchi
★ 1190 建久 KenkyÅ«
★ 1199 æ£æ²» ShÅji
★ 1201 å»ºä» Kennin
★ 1204 元久 GenkyÅ«
★ 1206 建永 Ken'ei or Ken'yÅ
★ 1207 承元 JÅgen or ShÅgen
★ 1211 建暦 Kenryaku
★ 1213 å»ºä¿ KenpÅ or KenhÅ
★ 1219 承久 JÅkyÅ« or ShÅkyÅ«
★ 1222 貞応 JÅÅ or TeiÅ
★ 1224 å…ƒä» Gennin
★ 1225 嘉禄 Karoku
★ 1227 安貞 Antei or AnjÅ
★ 1229 寛喜 Kangi or Kanki
★ 1232 貞永 JÅei or Teiei
★ 1233 å¤©ç¦ Tenpuku or Tenfuku
★ 1234 文暦 Bunryaku or Monryaku or Monreki
★ 1235 嘉禎 Katei
★ 1238 æš¦ä» Ryakunin or Rekinin
★ 1239 延応 En'Å or EnnÅ
★ 1240 ä»æ²» Ninji or Ninchi
★ 1243 寛元 Kangen
★ 1247 å®æ²» HÅji
★ 1249 建長 KenchÅ
★ 1256 康元 KÅgen
★ 1257 æ£å˜‰ ShÅka
★ 1259 æ£å…ƒ ShÅgen
★ 1260 文応 Bun'Å or BunnÅ
★ 1261 弘長 KÅchÅ
★ 1264 文永 Bun'ei
★ 1275 建治 Kenji
★ 1278 弘安 KÅan
★ 1288 æ£å¿œ ShÅÅ
★ 1293 æ°¸ä» Einin
★ 1299 æ£å®‰ ShÅan
★ 1302 乾元 Kengen
★ 1303 嘉元 Kagen
★ 1306 徳治 Tokuji
★ 1308 延慶 EnkyÅ or EngyÅ or Enkei
★ 1311 応長 ÅŒchÅ
★ 1312 æ£å’Œ ShÅwa
★ 1317 æ–‡ä¿ BunpÅ or BunhÅ
★ 1319 元応 Gen'Å or GennÅ
★ 1321 元亨 GenkÅ
★ 1324 æ£ä¸ ShÅchÅ«
★ 1326 嘉暦 Karyaku
★ 1329 元徳 Gentoku
★ 1331 元弘 GenkÅ
★ 1334 å»ºæ¦ Kenmu or Kenbu
★ Nanboku-chÅ Southern Court
★
★ 1336 延元 Engen
★
★ 1340 興国 KÅkoku
★
★ 1346 æ£å¹³ ShÅhei
★
★ 1370 建徳 Kentoku
★
★ 1372 æ–‡ä¸ BunchÅ«
★
★ 1375 天授 Tenju
★
★ 1381 弘和 KÅwa
★
★ 1384 å…ƒä¸ GenchÅ« (GenchÅ« 9 became Meitoku 3 upon reunification)
★ Nanboku-chÅ Northern Court
★
★ 1332 æ£æ…¶ ShÅkei or ShÅkyÅ
★
★ 1333 (Northern court not in existence between 1333 and 1336; no era names apply from 1333 to 1338)
★
★ 1338 暦応 RyakuÅ or RekiÅ
★
★ 1342 康永 KÅei
★
★ 1345 貞和 JÅwa or Teiwa
★
★ 1350 観応 KannÅ or Kan'Å
★
★ 1352 文和 Bunna or Bunwa
★
★ 1356 延文 Enbun
★
★ 1361 康安 KÅan
★
★ 1362 貞治 JÅji or Teiji
★
★ 1368 応安 ÅŒan
★
★ 1375 永和 Eiwa
★
★ 1379 康暦 KÅryaku
★
★ 1381 永徳 Eitoku
★
★ 1384 至徳 Shitoku
★
★ 1387 嘉慶 Kakei or KakyÅ
★
★ 1389 康応 KÅÅ
★
★ 1390 明徳 Meitoku
★ Reunification
★ 1394 応永 ÅŒei
★ 1428 æ£é•· ShÅchÅ
★ 1429 永享 EikyÅ or EikÅ
★ 1441 å˜‰å‰ Kakitsu or Kakichi
★ 1444 文安 Bun'an or Bunnan
★ 1449 å®å¾³ HÅtoku
★ 1452 享徳 KyÅtoku
★ 1455 åº·æ£ KÅshÅ
★ 1457 長禄 ChÅroku
★ 1460 å¯›æ£ KanshÅ
★ 1466 æ–‡æ£ BunshÅ or MonshÅ
★ 1467 å¿œä» ÅŒnin
★ 1469 文明 Bunmei
★ 1487 長享 ChÅkyÅ
★ 1489 延徳 Entoku
★ 1492 明応 MeiÅ
★ 1501 文亀 Bunki
★ 1504 æ°¸æ£ EishÅ
★ 1521 大永 Daiei
★ 1528 享禄 KyÅroku
★ 1532 天文 Tenbun or Tenmon
★ 1555 弘治 KÅji
★ 1558 永禄 Eiroku
★ 1570 元亀 Genki
★ 1573 å¤©æ£ TenshÅ
★ 1592 文禄 Bunroku
★ 1596 慶長 KeichÅ or KyÅchÅ
★ 1615 元和 Genna or Genwa
★ 1624 寛永 Kan'ei
★ 1644 æ£ä¿ ShÅhÅ
★ 1648 慶安 Keian or KyÅan
★ 1652 承応 JÅÅ or ShÅÅ
★ 1655 明暦 Meireki or MyÅryaku or Meiryaku
★ 1658 万治 Manji
★ 1661 寛文 Kanbun
★ 1673 å»¶å® EnpÅ or EnhÅ
★ 1681 天和 Tenna or Tenwa
★ 1684 貞享 JÅkyÅ
★ 1688 元禄 Genroku
★ 1704 å®æ°¸ HÅei
★ 1711 æ£å¾³ ShÅtoku
★ 1716 äº«ä¿ KyÅhÅ
★ 1736 元文 Genbun
★ 1741 å¯›ä¿ KanpÅ or KanhÅ
★ 1744 延享 EnkyÅ
★ 1748 寛延 Kan'en
★ 1751 å®æš¦ HÅreki or HÅryaku
★ 1764 明和 Meiwa
★ 1772 安永 An'ei
★ 1781 天明 Tenmei
★ 1789 寛政 Kansei
★ 1801 享和 KyÅwa
★ 1804 文化 Bunka
★ 1818 文政 Bunsei
★ 1830 å¤©ä¿ TenpÅ or TenhÅ
★ 1844 弘化 KÅka
★ 1848 嘉永 Kaei
★ 1854 安政 Ansei
★ 1860 万延 Man'en
★ 1861 文久 BunkyÅ«
★ 1864 元治 Genji
★ 1865 慶応 KeiÅ
★ 1868 明治 Meiji - Emperor Meiji
★ 1912 å¤§æ£ TaishÅ - Emperor TaishÅ
★ 1926 æ˜å’Œ ShÅwa - Emperor ShÅwa
★ 1989 å¹³æˆ Heisei - Akihito, the reigning emperor
The nengÅ system that was introduced by Emperor KÅtoku was abandoned after his death; no nengÅ were designated between 654 and 686 CE. The system was briefly reinstated by Emperor Temmu in 686 CE, but was again abandoned upon his death approximately two months later. In 701 CE, Emperor Mommu once again reinstated the nengÅ 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 nengÅ. The apparent problem introduced by the lack of nengÅ 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 nengÅ 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, 572 CE—in which Emperor Bidatsu assumed the Chrysanthemum Throne—is properly written as "æ•é”天皇元年" (''Bidatsu-TennÅ Gannen'', lit. "the first year of Emperor Bidatsu"), and not "æ•é”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 nengÅ system to cover all dates from 660 BCE through today.[2]
The following is an example of such an extension of the nengÅ system to include the post-Taika years not covered by a proper era name:
★ Taika era, 645-650
★ Hakuchi era, 650–654
★ Discontinuation of the nengÅ system, 654-686
★
★ Reign of Empress Saimei, 655-662
★
★ Reign of Emperor Tenji, 662-672
★
★ Reign of Emperor KÅbun, 672-673
★
★ Reign of Emperor Temmu, 673-686
★ ShuchÅ era, 686
★ Discontinuation of the nengÅ system, 686-701
★
★ Reign of Empress JitÅ, 686-697
★
★ Reign of Emperor Mommu, 697-701
★ TaihÅ era, 701-704
KÅki (皇紀), or Imperial year, is an epoch used before WW2. KÅki 1 is the year when Emperor Jimmu founded Japan, that is 660 BC. This epoch system was adopted in 1872. In terms of nationalism, KÅki emphasizes the long history of Japan and imperial family because it is a bigger number than Anno Domini.
KÅki 2600 (AD 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 WW2, United States occupied Japan, and stopped the use of KÅki in officials, and today KÅki is rarely used.
In addition to the official nengÅ 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 , also known as or . Currently, there are over 40 confirmed shinengÅ, most of them dating from the middle ages. ShinengÅ used prior to the reestablishment of the nengÅ system in 701 CE are usually called .
Because official records of shinengŠare lacking, the range of dates to which they apply is often unclear. For example, the well-known itsunengŠis normally said to refer to 650-654 CE; a poetic synonym for the Hakuchi era. However, alternate interpretations exist. For example, in the Nichūreki, HakuhŠrefers to 661-683 CE, and in some middle-age temple documents, HakuhŠrefers to 672-685 CE. Thus, shinengŠmay be used as an alternative way of dating periods for which there is no official era name.
Other well-known itsunengÅ and shinengÅ include (591-621+ CE), (686 CE), (1489-1492 CE), (1506-1507 CE or 1507-1508 CE) and (1540-1543 CE).
The most recent shinengÅ is (1904-1905 CE), named for the Russo-Japanese war.
1. Brown, Delmer. (1979). ''GukanshÅ,'' p.32.
2. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). ''Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869,'' p. 321. [Example: HÅreki (1751-1761), meaning "Valuable Calendar, is proclaimed retroactively by Emperor Momozono in 1754.]
★ Brown, Delmer M. and IchirÅ Ishida, eds. (1979). [ Jien (1221)], ''GukanshÅ (The Future and the Past, a translation and study of the GukanshÅ, 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 GahÅ (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.--''Two copies of this rare book have now been made available online: (1) from the library of the University of Michigan, digitized January 30, 2007; and (2) from the library of Stanford University, digitized June 23, 2006.'' Click here to read the original text in French.
★ KÅjien, 5th edition
★ Varley, H. Paul , ed. (1980). [ Kitabatake Chikafusa (1359)], ''JinnÅ ShÅtÅki ("A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: JinnÅ ShÅtÅki of Kitabatake Chikafusa" translated by H. Paul Varley).'' New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-04940-4
★ Japanese calendar
★ Jikkan JÅ«nishi
★ Calendar
★ Era name
★ Holocene calendar (JÅmon Era)
★ Japanese resources:
★
★ allcalendars.net -- convert Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengÅ
★
★ japan-guide.com -- another converter relating Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengÅ 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:
★
★ nengo_calc-- an easy-to-use online nengÅ conversion website is maintained as part of the Japanese studies program at the German University of Tübingen
The 'Japanese era calendar scheme' is a common calendar scheme used in Japan, which identifies a year by the combination of the and the year number within the era. For example, the year 2006 is Heisei 18, and 2007 is Heisei 19.
As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of nengÅ, also known as , 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 ShÅwa 55. At 64 years, ShÅwa is the longest era to date.
| Contents |
| Overview |
| Historical nengÅ |
| NengÅ in modern Japan |
| Conversion table from nengÅ to Gregorian calendar years |
| Non-nengÅ periods |
| Imperial year |
| Unofficial nengÅ system |
| References |
| See also |
| External links |
Overview
The system on which the Japanese nengÅ are based originated in China in 140 BCE, and was adopted by Japan in 645 CE, during the reign of Emperor KÅtoku.
The first nengÅ to be assigned was , celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great . Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive nengÅ 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 nengÅ
Prior to the Meiji period, era names were decided by court officials and were subjected to frequent change. A new nengÅ was usually proclaimed within a year or two after the ascension of a new emperor. Besides changes in imperial reign, a new nengÅ was also normally designated at two points in each sexagenary cycle (the first and the 58th years), because these years were considered to be auspicious according to the Chinese astrological principles. Era names were also changed due to other felicitous events or natural disasters.
In historical practice, the first day of nengÅ (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 nengÅ's second year.[2]
Era names indicate the various reasons for their adoption. For instance, the nengÅ , during the Nara period was declared due to the discovery of copper deposits in Chichibu. Most nengÅ 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. , , and are among the famous nengÅ names in four characters. Since the Heian period, Confucian thoughts and ideas have been reflected in era names, such as , and . 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.
NengÅ in modern Japan
Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the era. On Sept. 8, 1868, the era name was changed to , and a 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 nengÅ are unlike the Chinese system (in which the era name was not updated until the year following the emperor's death).
In modern practice, the first year of a reign (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 era was proclaimed. 1912 is therefore known as both "Meiji 45" and , 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 . Thus, since 1868, there have only been four era names assigned: Meiji, TaishÅ, ShÅwa 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 .
NB: It is protocol in Japan that the reigning emperor should be referred to as ''TennÅ Heika'' (天皇陛下, "His Majesty the Emperor") or ''KinjÅ TennÅ'' (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 nengÅ to Gregorian calendar years
To convert a Japanese year to a Western or Gregorian calendar year, find the first year of the nengÅ (''the nengÅ = 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:
:::ILLUSTRATION: '1926 − 1 = 1925' ..., and then '1925 + 23 = 1948' ... or Showa 23.
★ 645 大化 Taika
★ 650 白雉 Hakuchi
★ 654 (Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 654-686: See "Non-NengÅ periods" section below)
★ 686 朱鳥 ShuchÅ or SuchÅ or Akamitori
★ 686 (Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 686-701: See "Non-NengÅ periods" section below)
★ 701 å¤§å® TaihÅ or DaihÅ
★ 704 慶雲 Keiun or KyÅun
★ 708 和銅 WadÅ
★ 715 霊亀 Reiki
★ 717 é¤Šè€ YÅrÅ
★ 724 神亀 Jinki or Shinki
★ 729 天平 TenpyÅ or TenbyÅ or Tenhei
★ 749 å¤©å¹³æ„Ÿå® TenpyÅ-kanpÅ or TenbyÅ-kanpÅ
★ 749 天平å‹å® TenpyÅ-shÅhÅ or TenbyÅ-shÅhÅ or Tenpei-shÅhÅ
★ 757 天平å®å— TenpyÅ-hÅji or TenbyÅ-hÅji or Tenpei-hÅji
★ 765 å¤©å¹³ç¥žè· TenpyÅ-jingo or TenbyÅ-jingo or Tenhei-jingo
★ 767 神è·æ™¯é›² Jingo-keiun
★ 770 å®äº€ HÅki
★ 781 天応 Ten'Å
★ 782 延暦 Enryaku
★ 806 å¤§åŒ DaidÅ
★ 810 å¼˜ä» KÅnin
★ 824 天長 TenchÅ
★ 834 承和 JÅwa or ShÅwa or SÅwa
★ 848 嘉祥 KashÅ or KajÅ
★ 851 ä»å¯¿ Ninju
★ 854 斉衡 SaikÅ
★ 857 天安 Ten'an or Tennan
★ 859 貞観 JÅgan
★ 877 元慶 GangyÅ or GankyÅ or Genkei
★ 885 ä»å’Œ Ninna or Ninwa
★ 889 寛平 KanpyÅ or Kanpei or KanbyÅ or Kanbei or Kanhei
★ 898 昌泰 ShÅtai
★ 901 延喜 Engi
★ 923 延長 EnchÅ
★ 931 承平 JÅhei or ShÅhei
★ 938 天慶 TengyÅ or Tenkei or TenkyÅ
★ 947 天暦 Tenryaku or Tenreki
★ 957 天徳 Tentoku
★ 961 応和 ÅŒwa
★ 964 åº·ä¿ KÅhÅ
★ 968 安和 Anna or Anwa
★ 970 天禄 Tenroku
★ 973 天延 Ten'en
★ 976 貞元 JÅgen or Teigen
★ 978 天元 Tengen
★ 983 永観 Eikan or YÅkan
★ 985 寛和 Kanna or Kanwa
★ 987 永延 Eien or YÅen
★ 988 永祚 Eiso or YÅso
★ 990 æ£æš¦ ShÅryaku or JÅryaku or ShÅreki
★ 995 é•·å¾³ ChÅtoku
★ 999 é•·ä¿ ChÅhÅ
★ 1004 寛弘 KankÅ
★ 1012 é•·å’Œ ChÅwa
★ 1017 å¯›ä» Kannin
★ 1021 治安 Jian or Chian
★ 1024 万寿 Manju
★ 1028 é•·å…ƒ ChÅgen
★ 1037 長暦 ChÅryaku or ChÅreki
★ 1040 é•·ä¹… ChÅkyÅ«
★ 1044 寛徳 Kantoku
★ 1046 永承 EishÅ or EijÅ or YÅjÅ
★ 1053 天喜 Tengi or Tenki
★ 1058 康平 KÅhei
★ 1065 治暦 Jiryaku or Chiryaku
★ 1069 延久 EnkyÅ«
★ 1074 æ‰¿ä¿ JÅhÅ or ShÅhÅ or ShÅho
★ 1077 承暦 JÅryaku or ShÅryaku or ShÅreki
★ 1081 æ°¸ä¿ EihÅ or YÅhÅ
★ 1084 応徳 ÅŒtoku
★ 1087 寛治 Kanji
★ 1094 å˜‰ä¿ KahÅ
★ 1096 永長 EichÅ or YÅchÅ
★ 1097 承徳 JÅtoku or ShÅtoku
★ 1099 康和 KÅwa
★ 1104 é•·æ²» ChÅji
★ 1106 嘉承 KajÅ or KashÅ or KasÅ
★ 1108 å¤©ä» Tennin
★ 1110 天永 Ten'ei or Ten'yÅ
★ 1113 永久 EikyÅ« or YÅkyÅ«
★ 1118 元永 Gen'ei
★ 1120 ä¿å®‰ HÅan
★ 1124 天治 Tenji or Tenchi
★ 1126 大治 Daiji or Taiji
★ 1131 天承 TenshÅ or TenjÅ
★ 1132 長承 ChÅshÅ or ChÅjÅ
★ 1135 ä¿å»¶ HÅen
★ 1141 永治 Eiji
★ 1142 康治 KÅji
★ 1144 天養 Ten'yÅ or TennyÅ
★ 1145 久安 KyÅ«an
★ 1151 ä»å¹³ Ninpei or NinpyÅ or NinbyÅ or NinhyÅ or Ninhei
★ 1154 久寿 KyÅ«ju
★ 1156 ä¿å…ƒ HÅgen or Hogen
★ 1159 平治 Heiji or ByÅji
★ 1160 永暦 Eiryaku or YÅryaku
★ 1161 å¿œä¿ ÅŒhÅ
★ 1163 長寛 ChÅkan or ChÅgan
★ 1165 永万 Eiman or YÅman
★ 1166 ä»å®‰ Nin'an or Ninnan
★ 1169 嘉応 KaÅ
★ 1171 承安 JÅan or ShÅan
★ 1175 安元 Angen
★ 1177 治承 JishÅ or JijÅ or ChishÅ
★ 1181 養和 YÅwa
★ 1182 寿永 Juei
★ 1184 元暦 Genryaku
★ 1185 文治 Bunji or Monchi
★ 1190 建久 KenkyÅ«
★ 1199 æ£æ²» ShÅji
★ 1201 å»ºä» Kennin
★ 1204 元久 GenkyÅ«
★ 1206 建永 Ken'ei or Ken'yÅ
★ 1207 承元 JÅgen or ShÅgen
★ 1211 建暦 Kenryaku
★ 1213 å»ºä¿ KenpÅ or KenhÅ
★ 1219 承久 JÅkyÅ« or ShÅkyÅ«
★ 1222 貞応 JÅÅ or TeiÅ
★ 1224 å…ƒä» Gennin
★ 1225 嘉禄 Karoku
★ 1227 安貞 Antei or AnjÅ
★ 1229 寛喜 Kangi or Kanki
★ 1232 貞永 JÅei or Teiei
★ 1233 å¤©ç¦ Tenpuku or Tenfuku
★ 1234 文暦 Bunryaku or Monryaku or Monreki
★ 1235 嘉禎 Katei
★ 1238 æš¦ä» Ryakunin or Rekinin
★ 1239 延応 En'Å or EnnÅ
★ 1240 ä»æ²» Ninji or Ninchi
★ 1243 寛元 Kangen
★ 1247 å®æ²» HÅji
★ 1249 建長 KenchÅ
★ 1256 康元 KÅgen
★ 1257 æ£å˜‰ ShÅka
★ 1259 æ£å…ƒ ShÅgen
★ 1260 文応 Bun'Å or BunnÅ
★ 1261 弘長 KÅchÅ
★ 1264 文永 Bun'ei
★ 1275 建治 Kenji
★ 1278 弘安 KÅan
★ 1288 æ£å¿œ ShÅÅ
★ 1293 æ°¸ä» Einin
★ 1299 æ£å®‰ ShÅan
★ 1302 乾元 Kengen
★ 1303 嘉元 Kagen
★ 1306 徳治 Tokuji
★ 1308 延慶 EnkyÅ or EngyÅ or Enkei
★ 1311 応長 ÅŒchÅ
★ 1312 æ£å’Œ ShÅwa
★ 1317 æ–‡ä¿ BunpÅ or BunhÅ
★ 1319 元応 Gen'Å or GennÅ
★ 1321 元亨 GenkÅ
★ 1324 æ£ä¸ ShÅchÅ«
★ 1326 嘉暦 Karyaku
★ 1329 元徳 Gentoku
★ 1331 元弘 GenkÅ
★ 1334 å»ºæ¦ Kenmu or Kenbu
★ Nanboku-chÅ Southern Court
★
★ 1336 延元 Engen
★
★ 1340 興国 KÅkoku
★
★ 1346 æ£å¹³ ShÅhei
★
★ 1370 建徳 Kentoku
★
★ 1372 æ–‡ä¸ BunchÅ«
★
★ 1375 天授 Tenju
★
★ 1381 弘和 KÅwa
★
★ 1384 å…ƒä¸ GenchÅ« (GenchÅ« 9 became Meitoku 3 upon reunification)
★ Nanboku-chÅ Northern Court
★
★ 1332 æ£æ…¶ ShÅkei or ShÅkyÅ
★
★ 1333 (Northern court not in existence between 1333 and 1336; no era names apply from 1333 to 1338)
★
★ 1338 暦応 RyakuÅ or RekiÅ
★
★ 1342 康永 KÅei
★
★ 1345 貞和 JÅwa or Teiwa
★
★ 1350 観応 KannÅ or Kan'Å
★
★ 1352 文和 Bunna or Bunwa
★
★ 1356 延文 Enbun
★
★ 1361 康安 KÅan
★
★ 1362 貞治 JÅji or Teiji
★
★ 1368 応安 ÅŒan
★
★ 1375 永和 Eiwa
★
★ 1379 康暦 KÅryaku
★
★ 1381 永徳 Eitoku
★
★ 1384 至徳 Shitoku
★
★ 1387 嘉慶 Kakei or KakyÅ
★
★ 1389 康応 KÅÅ
★
★ 1390 明徳 Meitoku
★ Reunification
★ 1394 応永 ÅŒei
★ 1428 æ£é•· ShÅchÅ
★ 1429 永享 EikyÅ or EikÅ
★ 1441 å˜‰å‰ Kakitsu or Kakichi
★ 1444 文安 Bun'an or Bunnan
★ 1449 å®å¾³ HÅtoku
★ 1452 享徳 KyÅtoku
★ 1455 åº·æ£ KÅshÅ
★ 1457 長禄 ChÅroku
★ 1460 å¯›æ£ KanshÅ
★ 1466 æ–‡æ£ BunshÅ or MonshÅ
★ 1467 å¿œä» ÅŒnin
★ 1469 文明 Bunmei
★ 1487 長享 ChÅkyÅ
★ 1489 延徳 Entoku
★ 1492 明応 MeiÅ
★ 1501 文亀 Bunki
★ 1504 æ°¸æ£ EishÅ
★ 1521 大永 Daiei
★ 1528 享禄 KyÅroku
★ 1532 天文 Tenbun or Tenmon
★ 1555 弘治 KÅji
★ 1558 永禄 Eiroku
★ 1570 元亀 Genki
★ 1573 å¤©æ£ TenshÅ
★ 1592 文禄 Bunroku
★ 1596 慶長 KeichÅ or KyÅchÅ
★ 1615 元和 Genna or Genwa
★ 1624 寛永 Kan'ei
★ 1644 æ£ä¿ ShÅhÅ
★ 1648 慶安 Keian or KyÅan
★ 1652 承応 JÅÅ or ShÅÅ
★ 1655 明暦 Meireki or MyÅryaku or Meiryaku
★ 1658 万治 Manji
★ 1661 寛文 Kanbun
★ 1673 å»¶å® EnpÅ or EnhÅ
★ 1681 天和 Tenna or Tenwa
★ 1684 貞享 JÅkyÅ
★ 1688 元禄 Genroku
★ 1704 å®æ°¸ HÅei
★ 1711 æ£å¾³ ShÅtoku
★ 1716 äº«ä¿ KyÅhÅ
★ 1736 元文 Genbun
★ 1741 å¯›ä¿ KanpÅ or KanhÅ
★ 1744 延享 EnkyÅ
★ 1748 寛延 Kan'en
★ 1751 å®æš¦ HÅreki or HÅryaku
★ 1764 明和 Meiwa
★ 1772 安永 An'ei
★ 1781 天明 Tenmei
★ 1789 寛政 Kansei
★ 1801 享和 KyÅwa
★ 1804 文化 Bunka
★ 1818 文政 Bunsei
★ 1830 å¤©ä¿ TenpÅ or TenhÅ
★ 1844 弘化 KÅka
★ 1848 嘉永 Kaei
★ 1854 安政 Ansei
★ 1860 万延 Man'en
★ 1861 文久 BunkyÅ«
★ 1864 元治 Genji
★ 1865 慶応 KeiÅ
★ 1868 明治 Meiji - Emperor Meiji
★ 1912 å¤§æ£ TaishÅ - Emperor TaishÅ
★ 1926 æ˜å’Œ ShÅwa - Emperor ShÅwa
★ 1989 å¹³æˆ Heisei - Akihito, the reigning emperor
Non-nengÅ periods
The nengÅ system that was introduced by Emperor KÅtoku was abandoned after his death; no nengÅ were designated between 654 and 686 CE. The system was briefly reinstated by Emperor Temmu in 686 CE, but was again abandoned upon his death approximately two months later. In 701 CE, Emperor Mommu once again reinstated the nengÅ 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 nengÅ. The apparent problem introduced by the lack of nengÅ 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 nengÅ 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, 572 CE—in which Emperor Bidatsu assumed the Chrysanthemum Throne—is properly written as "æ•é”天皇元年" (''Bidatsu-TennÅ Gannen'', lit. "the first year of Emperor Bidatsu"), and not "æ•é”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 nengÅ system to cover all dates from 660 BCE through today.[2]
The following is an example of such an extension of the nengÅ system to include the post-Taika years not covered by a proper era name:
★ Taika era, 645-650
★ Hakuchi era, 650–654
★ Discontinuation of the nengÅ system, 654-686
★
★ Reign of Empress Saimei, 655-662
★
★ Reign of Emperor Tenji, 662-672
★
★ Reign of Emperor KÅbun, 672-673
★
★ Reign of Emperor Temmu, 673-686
★ ShuchÅ era, 686
★ Discontinuation of the nengÅ system, 686-701
★
★ Reign of Empress JitÅ, 686-697
★
★ Reign of Emperor Mommu, 697-701
★ TaihÅ era, 701-704
Imperial year
KÅki (皇紀), or Imperial year, is an epoch used before WW2. KÅki 1 is the year when Emperor Jimmu founded Japan, that is 660 BC. This epoch system was adopted in 1872. In terms of nationalism, KÅki emphasizes the long history of Japan and imperial family because it is a bigger number than Anno Domini.
KÅki 2600 (AD 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 WW2, United States occupied Japan, and stopped the use of KÅki in officials, and today KÅki is rarely used.
Unofficial nengÅ system
In addition to the official nengÅ 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 , also known as or . Currently, there are over 40 confirmed shinengÅ, most of them dating from the middle ages. ShinengÅ used prior to the reestablishment of the nengÅ system in 701 CE are usually called .
Because official records of shinengŠare lacking, the range of dates to which they apply is often unclear. For example, the well-known itsunengŠis normally said to refer to 650-654 CE; a poetic synonym for the Hakuchi era. However, alternate interpretations exist. For example, in the Nichūreki, HakuhŠrefers to 661-683 CE, and in some middle-age temple documents, HakuhŠrefers to 672-685 CE. Thus, shinengŠmay be used as an alternative way of dating periods for which there is no official era name.
Other well-known itsunengÅ and shinengÅ include (591-621+ CE), (686 CE), (1489-1492 CE), (1506-1507 CE or 1507-1508 CE) and (1540-1543 CE).
The most recent shinengÅ is (1904-1905 CE), named for the Russo-Japanese war.
References
1. Brown, Delmer. (1979). ''GukanshÅ,'' p.32.
2. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). ''Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869,'' p. 321. [Example: HÅreki (1751-1761), meaning "Valuable Calendar, is proclaimed retroactively by Emperor Momozono in 1754.]
★ Brown, Delmer M. and IchirÅ Ishida, eds. (1979). [ Jien (1221)], ''GukanshÅ (The Future and the Past, a translation and study of the GukanshÅ, 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 GahÅ (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.--''Two copies of this rare book have now been made available online: (1) from the library of the University of Michigan, digitized January 30, 2007; and (2) from the library of Stanford University, digitized June 23, 2006.'' Click here to read the original text in French.
★ KÅjien, 5th edition
★ Varley, H. Paul , ed. (1980). [ Kitabatake Chikafusa (1359)], ''JinnÅ ShÅtÅki ("A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: JinnÅ ShÅtÅki of Kitabatake Chikafusa" translated by H. Paul Varley).'' New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-04940-4
See also
★ Japanese calendar
★ Jikkan JÅ«nishi
★ Calendar
★ Era name
★ Holocene calendar (JÅmon Era)
External links
★ Japanese resources:
★
★ allcalendars.net -- convert Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengÅ
★
★ japan-guide.com -- another converter relating Gregorian calendar years to Japanese nengÅ 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:
★
★ nengo_calc-- an easy-to-use online nengÅ conversion website is maintained as part of the Japanese studies program at the German University of Tübingen
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