Japanese era name

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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 2008 is Heisei 20.

As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of nengō, also known as "gengō" (元号, "gengō"^?), 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 (i.e. 1980 A.D.). At 64 years, Shōwa is the longest era to date.

1 Overview
- 1.1 Historical nengō
- 1.2 Nengō in modern Japan
2 Conversion table from Gregorian calendar years to nengō
3 Non-nengō periods
4 Imperial year
5 Unofficial nengō system
- 5.1 Kyūshū nengō
6 Notes
7 References
- 7.1 See also
- 7.2 External links

[edit] 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, "Taika"^?), celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great Taika reform (大化の改新, Taika reform^?). 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]

[edit] 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, kakurei^?), kakuun (革運, kakuun^?), and kakumei (革命, kakumei^?), and collectively known as sankaku (三革, sankaku^?). 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, Wadō^?), 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 Kanpō^?), Tenpyō Shōhō (天平勝宝, Tenpyō Shōhō^?), Tenpyō Hōji (天平宝字, Tenpyō Hōji^?) and Tenpyō Jingo (天平神護, Tenpyō Jingo^?) 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, Daidō^?), Kōnin (弘仁, Kōnin^?) and Tenchō (天長, Tenchō^?).^{[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.

[edit] Nengō in modern Japan

Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the Keiō (慶応, Keiō^?) era. On Oct. 23, 1868, the era name was changed to "Meiji" (明治, "Meiji"^?), 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, Taishō^?) 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.

[edit] 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:

ILLUSTRATION: 1926 − 1 = 1925 ..., and then 1925 + 23 = 1948 ... or Showa 23.

CONVERSION TABLE: Gregorian calendar years / nengō
Year	Kanji	Romanization	Meaning	Notes
Asuka period (538-710)
645	大化	Taika	"Great Reform"^[3]	Emperor Kōtoku, 645-654.^[4] Also known as "Great Development"^[5]
650	白雉	Hakuchi	"White Pheasant"^[6]
654	Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 654-686: See "Non-Nengō periods" section below
686	朱鳥	Shuchō	"vermillion bird"	also Suchō, Akamitori or Akamidori; Emperor Temmu, 672-686.^[7]
686	Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 686-701: See "Non-Nengō periods" section below
701	大宝	Taihō	"Great Law"^[3]	also Daihō; Emperor Mommu, 697-707.^[8] Also known as "Great Treasure"^[9]
704	慶雲	Keiun	"jubilant cloud"	also Kyōun; Empress Gemmei, 707-715.^[10]
708	和銅	Wadō	"Japanese Copper"^[11]
Nara period (710-794)
715	霊亀	Reiki	"ethereal tortoise"	Empress Genshō, 715-724.^[12]
717	養老	Yōrō	"caring for the aged"
724	神亀	Jinki	"divine tortoise"	also Shinki; Emperor Shōmu, 724-749.^[13]
729	天平	Tenpyō	"heavenly peace"	also Tenbyō or Tenhei
749	天平感宝	Tenpyō-kanpō	"Gratitude for Treasure"^[14]	also Tenbyō-kanpō
749	天平勝宝	Tenpyō-shōhō	"Heavenly Peace and Victorious Buddhism"^[15]	also Tenbyō-shōbō or Tenpei-shōhō; Empress Kōken, 749-758.^[16]
757	天平宝字	Tenpyō-hōji	"Lucky Inscription"^[17]	also Tenbyō-hōji or Tenpei-hōji; Emperor Junnin, 758-764;^[18] Empress Shōtoku, 764-770.^[19]
765	天平神護	Tenpyō-jingo	"heavenly peace and divine protection"	also Tenbyō-jingo or Tenhei-jingo
767	神護景雲	Jingo-keiun	"divine protection and cloudy view"
770	宝亀	Hōki	"treasure turtle"	Emperor Kōnin, 770-781.^[20]
781	天応	Ten'ō	"heavenly answer"	Emperor Kammu, 781-806.^[21]
782	延暦	Enryaku	"prolonged calendar"
Heian period (794-1192)
806	大同	Daidō	"great similarity"	Emperor Heizei, 806-809;^[22] Emperor Saga, 809-823.^[23]
810	弘仁	Kōnin	"broad virtue"	Emperor Junna, 823-833.^[24]
824	天長	Tenchō	"heavenly length"	Emperor Ninmyō, 833-850.^[25]
834	承和	Jōwa	"Flourishing Treasure"^[26]	also Shōwa or Sōwa
848	嘉祥	Kashō	"Good Augury"^[27]	also Kajō; Emperor Montoku, 850-858.^[28]
851	仁寿	Ninju	"virtuous long life"
854	斉衡	Saikō	"adjusted equilibrium"
857	天安	Ten'an	"heavenly peace"	also Tennan; Emperor Seiwa, 858-876.^[29]
859	貞観	Jōgan	"righteous appearance"	Emperor Yōzei, 876-884.^[30]
877	元慶	Gangyō	"former jubilation"	also Gankyō or Genkei; Emperor Kōkō, 884-887.^[31]
885	仁和	Ninna	"virtuous peace"	also Ninwa; Emperor Uda, 887-897.^[32]
889	寛平	Kanpyō	"tolerant balance"	also Kanpei or Kanbyō or Kanbei or Kanhei; Emperor Daigo, 887-930.^[33]
898	昌泰	Shōtai	"prosperous calm"
901	延喜	Engi	"prolonged rejoice"
923	延長	Enchō	"prolonged chief"	Emperor Suzaku, 930-946.^[34]
931	承平	Jōhei	"receive balance"	also Shōhei
938	天慶	Tengyō	"heavenly jubilation"	also Tenkei or Tenkyō; Emperor Murakami, 946-967.^[35]
947	天暦	Tenryaku	"heavenly almanac"	also Tenreki
957	天徳	Tentoku	"heavenly benevolence"
961	応和	Ōwa	"answered peace"
964	康保	Kōhō	"guaranteed ease"	Emperor Reizei, 967-969.^[36]
968	安和	Anna	"calm peace"	also Anwa; Emperor En'yū, 969-984.^[37]
970	天禄	Tenroku	"heavenly fief"
973	天延	Ten'en	"prolonged heaven"
976	貞元	Jōgen	"righteous origins"	also Teigen
978	天元	Tengen	"heavenly origins"
983	永観	Eikan	"eternal view"	also Yōkan; Emperor Kazan, 984-986.^[38]
985	寛和	Kanna	"tolerant peace"	also Kanwa; Emperor Ichijō, 986-1011.^[39]
987	永延	Eien	"prolonged eternity"	also Yōen
988	永祚	Eiso	"eternal imperial throne"	also Yōso
990	正暦	Shōryaku	"true almanac"	also Jōryaku or Shōreki
995	長徳	Chōtoku	"chief benevolence"
999	長保	Chōhō	"chief guarantee"
1004	寛弘	Kankō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Sanjō, 1011-1016.^[40]
1012	長和	Chōwa	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Ichijō, 1016-1036.^[41]
1017	寛仁	Kannin	...^{[citation needed]}
1021	治安	Jian	...^{[citation needed]}	also Chian
1024	万寿	Manju	...^{[citation needed]}
1028	長元	Chōgen	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Suzaku, 1036-1045.^[42]
1037	長暦	Chōryaku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Chōreki
1040	長久	Chōkyū	...^{[citation needed]}
1044	寛徳	Kantoku	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Reizei, 1045-1068.^[43]
1046	永承	Eishō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Eijō or Yōjō
1053	天喜	Tengi	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tenki
1058	康平	Kōhei	...^{[citation needed]}
1065	治暦	Jiryaku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Chiryaku
1069	延久	Enkyū	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Sanjō, 1068-1073.^[44]
1074	承保	Jōhō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōhō or Shōho; Emperor Shirakawa, 1073-1086.^[45]
1077	承暦	Jōryaku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōryaku or Shōreki
1081	永保	Eihō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Yōhō
1084	応徳	Ōtoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1087	寛治	Kanji	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Horikawa, 1087-1107.^[46]
1094	嘉保	Kahō	...^{[citation needed]}
1096	永長	Eichō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Yōchō
1097	承徳	Jōtoku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōtoku
1099	康和	Kōwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1104	長治	Chōji	...^{[citation needed]}
1106	嘉承	Kajō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kashō or Kasō; Emperor Toba, 1107-1123.^[47]
1108	天仁	Tennin	...^{[citation needed]}
1110	天永	Ten'ei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ten'yō
1113	永久	Eikyū	...^{[citation needed]}	also Yōkyū
1118	元永	Gen'ei	...^{[citation needed]}
1120	保安	Hōan	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Sutoku, 1123-1142.^[48]
1124	天治	Tenji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tenchi
1126	大治	Daiji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Taiji
1131	天承	Tenshō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tenjō
1132	長承	Chōshō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Chōjō
1135	保延	Hōen	...^{[citation needed]}
1141	永治	Eiji	...^{[citation needed]}
1142	康治	Kōji	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Konoe, 1142-1155.^[49]
1144	天養	Ten'yō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tennyō
1145	久安	Kyūan	...^{[citation needed]}
1151	仁平	Ninpei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ninpyō or Ninbyō or Ninhyō or Ninhei
1154	久寿	Kyūju	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Shirakawa, 1155-1158.^[50]
1156	保元	Hōgen	...^{[citation needed]}	also Hogen; Emperor Nijō, 1158-1165.^[51]
1159	平治	Heiji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Byōji
1160	永暦	Eiryaku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Yōryaku
1161	応保	Ōhō	...^{[citation needed]}
1163	長寛	Chōkan	...^{[citation needed]}	also Chōgan
1165	永万	Eiman	...^{[citation needed]}	also Yōman; Emperor Rokujō, 1165-1168.^[52]
1166	仁安	Nin'an	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ninnan; Emperor Takakura, 1168-1180.^[53]
1169	嘉応	Kaō	...^{[citation needed]}
1171	承安	Jōan	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōan
1175	安元	Angen	...^{[citation needed]}
1177	治承	Jishō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Jijō or Chishō; Emperor Antoku, 1180-1185.^[54]
1181	養和	Yōwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1182	寿永	Juei	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Toba, 1183-1198.^[55]
1184	元暦	Genryaku	...^{[citation needed]}
1185	文治	Bunji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Monchi
1190	建久	Kenkyū	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Tsuchimikado, 1198-1210.^[56]
Kamakura period (1192-1333)
1199	正治	Shōji	...^{[citation needed]}
1201	建仁	Kennin	...^{[citation needed]}
1204	元久	Genkyū	...^{[citation needed]}
1206	建永	Ken'ei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ken'yō
1207	承元	Jōgen	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōgen; Emperor Juntoku, 1210-1221.^[57]
1211	建暦	Kenryaku	...^{[citation needed]}
1213	建保	Kenpō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kenhō
1219	承久	Jōkyū	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōkyū; Emperor Chūkyō, 1221;.^[58] Emperor Go-Horikawa, 1221-1232.^[59]
1222	貞応	Jōō	"righteous answer"	also Teiō
1224	元仁	Gennin	...^{[citation needed]}
1225	嘉禄	Karoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1227	安貞	Antei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Anjō
1229	寛喜	Kangi	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kanki
1232	貞永	Jōei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Teiei; Emperor Shijō, 1232-1242.^[60]
1233	天福	Tenpuku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tenfuku
1234	文暦	Bunryaku	...^{[citation needed]}	also Monryaku or Monreki
1235	嘉禎	Katei	...^{[citation needed]}
1238	暦仁	Ryakunin	...^{[citation needed]}	also Rekinin
1239	延応	En'ō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ennō
1240	仁治	Ninji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Ninchi; Emperor Go-Saga, 1242-1246.^[61]
1243	寛元	Kangen	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Fukakusa, 1246-1260.^[62]
1247	宝治	Hōji	...^{[citation needed]}
1249	建長	Kenchō	...^{[citation needed]}
1256	康元	Kōgen	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Kameyama, 1260-1274.^[63]
1257	正嘉	Shōka	...^{[citation needed]}
1259	正元	Shōgen	...^{[citation needed]}
1260	文応	Bun'ō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Bunnō
1261	弘長	Kōchō	...^{[citation needed]}
1264	文永	Bun'ei	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Uda, 1274-1287.^[64]
1275	建治	Kenji	...^{[citation needed]}
1278	弘安	Kōan	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Fushimi, 1287-1298.^[65]
1288	正応	Shōō	...^{[citation needed]}
1293	永仁	Einin	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Fushimi, 1298-1301.^[66]
1299	正安	Shōan	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Nijō, 1301-1308.^[67]
1302	乾元	Kengen	...^{[citation needed]}
1303	嘉元	Kagen	...^{[citation needed]}
1306	徳治	Tokuji	...^{[citation needed]}
1308	延慶	Enkyō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Engyō or Enkei; Emperor Hanazono, 1308-1318.^[68]
1311	応長	Ōchō	...^{[citation needed]}
1312	正和	Shōwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1317	文保	Bunpō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Bunhō; Emperor Go-Daigo, 1318-1339.^[69]
1319	元応	Gen'ō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Gennō
1321	元亨	Genkō	...^{[citation needed]}
1324	正中	Shōchū	...^{[citation needed]}
1326	嘉暦	Karyaku	...^{[citation needed]}
1329	元徳	Gentoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1331	元弘	Genkō	...^{[citation needed]}
1334	建武	Kenmu	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kenbu
Nanboku-chō period (1334-1392)
*Nanboku-chō Southern Court
1336	延元	Engen	...^{[citation needed]}
1340	興国	Kōkoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1346	正平	Shōhei	...^{[citation needed]}
1370	建徳	Kentoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1372	文中	Bunchū	...^{[citation needed]}
1375	天授	Tenju	...^{[citation needed]}
1381	弘和	Kōwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1384	元中	Genchū	...^{[citation needed]}	Genchū 9 becomes Meitoku 3 in post Nanboku-chō reunification
*Nanboku-chō Northern Court
1332	正慶	Shōkei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Shōkyō
1333	Northern court not in existence between 1333 and 1336; no era names apply from 1333 to 1338.
1338	暦応	Ryakuō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Rekiō
1342	康永	Kōei	...^{[citation needed]}
1345	貞和	Jōwa	...^{[citation needed]}	also Teiwa
1350	観応	Kannō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kan'ō
1352	文和	Bunna	...^{[citation needed]}	also Bunwa
1356	延文	Enbun	...^{[citation needed]}
1361	康安	Kōan	...^{[citation needed]}
1362	貞治	Jōji	...^{[citation needed]}	also Teiji
1368	応安	Ōan	...^{[citation needed]}
1375	永和	Eiwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1379	康暦	Kōryaku	...^{[citation needed]}
1381	永徳	Eitoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1384	至徳	Shitoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1387	嘉慶	Kakei	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kakyō
1389	康応	Kōō	...^{[citation needed]}
1390	明徳	Meitoku	...^{[citation needed]}	Meitoku 3 replaces Genchū 9 in post-Nanboku-chō reunification
Muromachi period (1392-1573)
1394	応永	Ōei	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Shōkō, 1412-1428. ^[70]
1428	正長	Shōchō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Hanazono, 1428-1464.^[71]
1429	永享	Eikyō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Eikō
1441	嘉吉	Kakitsu	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kakichi
1444	文安	Bun'an	...^{[citation needed]}	also Bunnan
1449	宝徳	Hōtoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1452	享徳	Kyōtoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1455	康正	Kōshō	...^{[citation needed]}
1457	長禄	Chōroku	...^{[citation needed]}
1460	寛正	Kanshō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, 1464-1500.^[72]
1466	文正	Bunshō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Monshō
1467	応仁	Ōnin	...^{[citation needed]}
1469	文明	Bunmei	...^{[citation needed]}
1487	長享	Chōkyō	...^{[citation needed]}
1489	延徳	Entoku	...^{[citation needed]}
1492	明応	Meiō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Kashiwabara, 1500-1526.^[73]
1501	文亀	Bunki	...^{[citation needed]}
1504	永正	Eishō	...^{[citation needed]}
1521	大永	Daiei	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Nara, 1526-1557.^[74]
1528	享禄	Kyōroku	"heaven's favor"
1532	天文	Tenbun	...^{[citation needed]}	also Tenmon
1555	弘治	Kōji	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Ōgimachi, 1557-1586.^[75]
1558	永禄	Eiroku	...^{[citation needed]}
1570	元亀	Genki	...^{[citation needed]}
1573	天正	Tenshō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Go-Yōzei, 1586-1611.^[76]
1592	文禄	Bunroku	...^{[citation needed]}
1596	慶長	Keichō	...^{[citation needed]}	also Kyōchō; Emperor Go-Mizunoo, 1611-1629.^[77]
Edo period (1603-1867)
1615	元和	Genna	"Commencement of Concord"^[9]	also Genwa
1624	寛永	Kan'ei	...^{[citation needed]}	Empress Meishō, 1629-1643;^[78] Emperor Go-Kōmyō, 1643-1654.^[79]
1644	正保	Shōhō	...^{[citation needed]}
1648	慶安	Keian	"Peaceful Gladness"^[80]	also Kyōan
1652	承応	Jōō	"receiving answers"	also Shōō; Emperor Go-Sai, 1655-1663.^[81]
1655	明暦	Meireki	...^{[citation needed]}	also Myōryaku or Meiryaku
1658	万治	Manji	...^{[citation needed]}
1661	寛文	Kanbun	"generous art"	Emperor Reigen, 1663-1687.^[82]
1673	延宝	Enpō	"prolonged wealth"	also Enhō
1681	天和	Tenna	"heavenly Imperial peace"	also Tenwa
1684	貞享	Jōkyō	...^{[citation needed]}	Emperor Higashiyama, 1687-1709.^[83]
1688	元禄	Genroku	"original happiness"
1704	宝永	Hōei	"prosperous eternity"	Emperor Nakamikado, 1709-1735.^[84]
1711	正徳	Shōtoku	"righteous virtue"
1716	享保	Kyōhō	"Receiving, Holding"^[85]	Emperor Sakuramachi, 1735-1747.^[86]
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.^[87]
1748	寛延	Kan'en	"prolonging lenience"
1751	宝暦	Hōreki	"valuable calendar" or "valuable almanac"	also Hōryaku; Empress Go-Sakuramachi, 1762-1771.^[88]
1764	明和	Meiwa	"bright harmony"	Emperor Go-Momozono, 1771-1779.^[89]
1772	安永	An'ei	"peaceful eternity"	Emperor Kōkaku, 1780-1817.^[90]
1781	天明	Tenmei	"dawn"^{[citation needed]}
1789	寛政	Kansei	"tolerant" or "broad-minded government"}
1801	享和	Kyōwa	...^{[citation needed]}
1804	文化	Bunka	"culture" or "civilization"	Emperor Ninkō, 1817-1846.^[91]
1818	文政	Bunsei	...^{[citation needed]}
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	"Celebration of Eternity"^[92]	"eternal felicity"^[93]
1854	安政	Ansei	"quiet peaceful government"	"tranquil government"^[93]
1860	万延	Man'en	...^{[citation needed]}
1861	文久	Bunkyū	"literate story"
1864	元治	Genji	...^{[citation needed]}
1865	慶応	Keiō	"Joyous Concord"^[94]
Modern Japan (1868-present)
1868	明治	Meiji	"Enlightened Rule"^[95]	Emperor Meiji, 1868-1912. Also known as "Enlightened Government" or "Brilliant Rule"^[94]
1912	大正	Taishō	"great righteousness"	Emperor Taishō, 1912-1926.
1926	昭和	Shōwa	"Brilliant Harmony"^[95]	Emperor Shōwa, 1926-1989.
1989	平成	Heisei	"Achieving Peace"^[95]	Akihito, 1989-present [the reigning emperor].

[edit] 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

[edit] Imperial year

Kōki (皇紀), or Imperial year, is an epoch used before WW2. Kōki 1 is the year when Emperor Jimmu founded Japan, 660 BC according to the Gregorian Calendar. This epoch system was adopted in 1872. In terms of nationalism, Kōki emphasizes the long history of Japan and the 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 planned 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.

[edit] 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, shinengō^?), also known as ginengō (偽年号, ginengō^?) or inengō (異年号, inengō^?). 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, itsunengō^?). 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, Hakuhō^?) 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, Hōkō^?) (591-621+), Suzaku (朱雀, Suzaku^?) (686), Fukutoku (福徳, Fukutoku^?) (1489-1492), Miroku (弥勒, Miroku^?) (1506-1507 CE or 1507-1508) and Meiroku (命禄, Meiroku^?) (1540-1543).

The most recent shinengō is Seiro (征露, Seiro^?) (1904-1905), named for the Russo-Japanese war.

[edit] Kyūshū nengō

Edo period scholar Tsurumine Shikenobu proposed that Kyūshū nengō (九州年号, Kyūshū nengō^?), 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.

[edit] Notes

^ 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.]
^ ^a ^b Beasley, William. (1999). The Japanese Experience: A Short History of Japan, p. 24.
^ 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.
^ Lane-Poole, Stanley. (1894). The Life of Sir Harry Parkes, p. 461.
^ Titsingh, p. 49.
^ Brown, pp. 268-269; Varley, pp. 135-136; Titsingh, pp. 58-59.
^ Brown, pp. 270-271; Varley, pp. 137-140; Titsingh, pp. 60-63.
^ ^a ^b Munro, Neil. (1904). Coins of Japan, p. ix.
^ Brown, p. 271; Varley, p. 140; Titsingh, pp. 63-65.
^ Titsingh, p. 63.
^ Brown, pp. 271-272; Varley, pp. 140-141; Titsingh, pp. 65-67.
^ Brown, pp. 272-273; Varley, pp. 141-143; Titsingh, pp. 67-73.
^ Keene, Donald. (1999). Seeds in the Heart: Japanese Literature from Earliest Times to the Late Sixteenth Century, p. 153.
^ Bowman, John. (2000). Columbia Chronologies of Asian History and Culture, p. 127
^ Brown, pp. 274-275; Varley, p. 143; Titsingh, pp. 73-75.
^ David, Percival. (1932). The Shōsō-in, p. 32.
^ 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.
^ Munro, p. 63.
^ Titsingh, p. 111.
^ 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.
^ Munro, p. 216.
^ Titsingh, p. 413.
^ Titsingh, pp. 414-415.
^ Titsingh, pp. 415-416.
^ Titsingh, pp. 416-417.
^ Munro, p. 217.
^ Titsingh, pp. 417-418.
^ Titsingh, pp. 418-419.
^ Titsingh, p. 419.
^ Titsingh, pp. 419-420.
^ Titsingh, pp. 420-421.
^ Titsingh, p. 421.
^ Keene, Donald. (1999). "Dawn to the West: Japanese Literature of the Modern Era; Poetry, Drama, Criticsm, p. 393.
^ ^a ^b Satow, Ernest Mason. (1905). Japan 1853-1864, Or, Genji Yume Monogatari, p. 11.
^ ^a ^b Lane-Poole, p. 97.
^ ^a ^b ^c Dean, Meryll. (2002). Japanese Legal System, p. 55.

[edit] References

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

[edit] See also

A graphical timeline is available here:

Timeline of Japanese era names

[edit] External links

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