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The Japanese era name (Japanese: 年号, Hepburn: nengō, "year name") or gengō (元号), is the first of the two elements that identify years in the Japanese era calendar scheme. The second element is a number which indicates the year number within the era (with the first year being "gan (元)"), followed by the literal "nen (年)" meaning "year".
Era names originated in 140 BCE in Imperial China, during the reign of the Emperor Wu of Han.[1][2] As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of era names was originally derived from Chinese imperial practice,[2][3][4] 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.
The five era names used since the end of the Edo period in 1868 can be abbreviated by taking the first letter of their romanized names. For example, S55 means Shōwa 55 (i.e. 1980), and H22 stands for Heisei 22 (2010). At 62 years and 2 weeks, Shōwa is the longest era to date.
The current era is Reiwa (令和),[5] which began on 1 May 2019, following the 31st (and final) year of the Heisei era (平成31年). While the Heisei era (平成) started on the day after the death of the Emperor Hirohito (8 January 1989), the Reiwa era began the day after the planned and voluntary abdication[6] of the 125th Emperor Akihito. Emperor Akihito received special one-time permission to abdicate,[7] rather than serving in his role until his death, as is the rule.[8] His elder son, Naruhito, ascended to the throne as the 126th Emperor of Japan on 1 May 2019.[9]
Overview
The system on which the Japanese era names are based originated in China in 140 BC, and was adopted by Japan in 645 AD, during the reign of Emperor Kōtoku.
The first era name 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) of 645. Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive era names was interrupted in the late seventh century, it was permanently re-adopted in 701 during the reign of Emperor Monmu (697–707). Since then, era names have been used continuously up through the present day.[10]
Historical nengō
Prior to the Meiji period, era names were decided by court officials and were subjected to frequent change. A new era name was usually proclaimed within a year or two after the ascension of a new emperor. A new era name 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, kakuun, and kakumei, and collectively known as 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.[11]
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 composed 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). Although there currently exist a total of 248 Japanese era names, only 73 kanji have been used in composing them. Out of these 73 kanji, 31 of them have been used only once, while the rest have been used repeatedly in different combinations.
The vast majority of Japanese Era Names were used for less than 10 years, with two being used for less than a year. Only 28 have been used for more than 10 years and less than 30 years. Only Heisei, Oei, Meiji, and Showa have been used for more than 30 years.
Nengō in modern Japan
Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the Keiō (慶応) era. On 23 October 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 immediate 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 accession and ends on 31 December. Subsequent years follow the Gregorian calendar. For example, the Meiji era lasted until 30 July 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 30 July 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 five era names assigned: Meiji, Taishō, Shōwa, Heisei, and Reiwa, 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).
It is protocol in Japan that the reigning emperor 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. "Reiwa", 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., "Naruhito") is rare, and is considered vulgar behaviour in Japanese.
The Emperor Akihito abdicated on 30 April 2019, necessitating a change in nengō. The new name, made public on the morning of 1 May of the same year, is Reiwa (令和).[5]
Periods without era names
The era name system that was introduced by Emperor Kōtoku was abandoned after his death; no era names were designated between 654 and 686. The system was briefly reinstated by Emperor Tenmu in 686, but was again abandoned upon his death about two months later. In 701, Emperor Monmu once again reinstated the era name system, and it has continued uninterrupted through today.
Although use of the Gregorian calendar for historical dates became increasingly common in Japan, the traditional Japanese system demands that dates be written in reference to era names. The apparent problem introduced by the lack of era names was resolved by identifying the years of an imperial reign as a period.[12]
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, "the first year of Emperor Bidatsu"), and not "敏達元年" (Bidatsu Gannen, "the first year of Bidatsu"), although it may be abbreviated as such.[13] 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 BCE through today.[14]
Unofficial era name system
In addition to the official era name 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, "personal era name"), 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 era name system in 701 are usually called itsunengō (逸年号).[lower-alpha 1]
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 medieval 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+ CE), Suzaku (朱雀) (686), Entoku (延徳) (1460), Miroku (弥勒) (1506–1507 or 1507–1509) 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 Shigenobu 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 language entries 鶴峯戊申 and 九州王朝説.
Software support
Character sets
Certain era names have specific characters assigned to them, for instance ㋿ for the Reiwa period, which can also be written as 令和. These are included in Unicode: Code points U+32FF (㋿), U+337B (㍻), U+337C (㍼), U+337D (㍽) and U+337E (㍾) are used for the Reiwa, Heisei, Shōwa, Taishō and Meiji eras, respectively.
Calendar libraries
Certain calendar libraries support the conversion from and to the era system, as well as rendering of dates using it.
Since the release of Java 8, the Japanese calendar is supported in the new Date and time API for the year Meiji 6 (1873) onwards.[15]
Support for the new era in Japanese imperial transition of 2019
Computers and software manufacturers needed to test their systems in preparation for the new era which began on 1 May 2019. Windows provided a test mechanism to simulate a new era ahead of time.[16] Java Development Kit 11 supported this era using the placeholders "元号" for Japanese, "NewEra" for other languages.[17] The final name was added in JDK 12.0.1, after it was announced by the Japanese government.[18]
Unicode code point U+32FF (㋿) was reserved for representing the new era name, Reiwa.[19][20][21][22][23][24]
The list of Japanese era names is the result of a periodization system which was established by Emperor Kōtoku in 645. The system of Japanese era names (年号, nengō, "year name") was irregular until the beginning of the 8th century.[25] After 701, sequential era names developed without interruption across a span of centuries.[10] As of 1 April 2019, there have been 239 era names.
List of Japanese era names
To convert a Japanese year to a Gregorian calendar year, find the first year of the Japanese era name (also called nengō). When found, add the number of the Japanese year, then subtract 1.
Asuka period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Kōtoku[26] 孝徳天皇 (r. 645–654 AD) | ||||
| Taika 大化 |
645–650 AD | 7 years | Book of Documents, Book of Han, Book of Song |
|
| Hakuchi 白雉 |
650–654 AD | 5 years | Book of Han | |
| Emperor Tenmu[27] 天武天皇 (r. 673–686 AD) | ||||
| Shuchō 朱鳥 |
686 AD | 3 months | Book of Rites | Also rendered as Suchō, Akamitori, and Akamidori. |
| Emperor Monmu[28] 文武天皇 (r. 697–707 CE) | ||||
| Taihō 大宝 |
701–704 AD | 4 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Daihō. |
| Keiun 慶雲 |
704–708 AD | 5 years | Selections of Refined Literature, Book of Jin |
Also rendered as Kyōun. Usage continued by the Empress Genmei upon her ascension to the throne. |
| Empress Genmei[29] 元明天皇 (r. 707–715 CE) | ||||
| Wadō 和銅 |
708–715 AD | 8 years | ||
Nara period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empress Genshō[30] 元正天皇 (r. 715–724 CE) | ||||
| Reiki 霊亀 |
715–717 AD | 3 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Yōrō 養老 |
717–724 AD | 8 years | Book of Rites | |
| Emperor Shōmu[31] 聖武天皇 (r. 724–749 AD) | ||||
| Jinki 神亀 |
724–729 AD | 6 years | Book of Rites with Commentaries of Dai De (大戴禮記), The Literary Expositor |
|
| Tenpyō 天平 |
729–749 AD | 21 years | Classic of Changes, Great Learning |
Also rendered as Tenbyō and Tenhei. |
| Tenpyō-kanpō 天平感宝 |
749 AD | 4 months | Also rendered as Tenbyō-kanpō and Tenhei-kanpō. | |
| Empress Kōken[32] 孝謙天皇 (r. 749–758 CE; first reign) | ||||
| Tenpyō-shōhō 天平勝宝 |
749–757 AD | 9 years | Also rendered as Tenbyō-shōhō and Tenpei-shōhō. | |
| Tenpyō-hōji 天平宝字 |
757–765 AD | 9 years | Also rendered as Tenbyō-hōji and Tenpei-hōji. Usage continued by the Emperor Junnin and the Empress Shōtoku upon their ascension to the throne. | |
| Empress Shōtoku[33] 称徳天皇 (r. 764–770 CE; second reign) | ||||
| Tenpyō-jingo 天平神護 |
765–767 AD | 3 years | Also rendered as Tenbyō-jingo and Tenhei-jingo. | |
| Jingo-keiun 神護景雲 |
767–770 AD | 4 years | Usage continued by the Emperor Kōnin upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Kōnin[34] 光仁天皇 (r. 770–781 AD) | ||||
| Hōki 宝亀 |
770–781 AD | 12 years | Book of Rites | |
| Emperor Kanmu[35] 桓武天皇 (r. 781–806 AD) | ||||
| Ten'ō 天応 |
781–782 AD | 2 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Enryaku 延暦 |
782–806 AD | 25 years | Book of Later Han | Usage continued by the Emperor Heizei upon his ascension to the throne. |
Heian period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Heizei[36] 平城天皇 (r. 806–809 AD) | ||||
| Daidō 大同 |
806–810 AD | 5 years | Book of Rites | Usage continued by the Emperor Saga upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Saga[37] 嵯峨天皇 (r. 809–823 AD) | ||||
| Kōnin 弘仁 |
810–824 AD | 15 years | Usage continued by the Emperor Junna upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Junna[38] 淳和天皇 (r. 823–833 AD) | ||||
| Tenchō 天長 |
824–834 AD | 11 years | Usage continued by the Emperor Ninmyō upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Ninmyō[39] 仁明天皇 (r. 833–850 AD) | ||||
| Jōwa 承和 |
834–848 AD | 15 years | Also rendered as Shōwa and Sōwa. | |
| Kashō 嘉祥 |
848–851 AD | 4 years | Also rendered as Kajō. Usage continued by the Emperor Montoku upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Montoku[40] 文徳天皇 (r. 850–858 AD) | ||||
| Ninju 仁寿 |
851–854 AD | 4 years | ||
| Saikō 斉衡 |
854–857 AD | 4 years | ||
| Ten'an 天安 |
857–859 AD | 3 years | Also rendered as Tennan. Usage continued by the Emperor Seiwa upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Seiwa[41] 清和天皇 (r. 858–876 AD) | ||||
| Jōgan 貞観 |
859–877 AD | 19 years | Classic of Changes | Usage continued by the Emperor Yōzei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Yōzei[42] 陽成天皇 (r. 876–884 CE) | ||||
| Gangyō 元慶 |
877–885 AD | 9 years | Also rendered as Gankyō and Genkei. Usage continued by the Emperor Kōkō upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Kōkō[43] 光孝天皇 (r. 884–887 AD) | ||||
| Ninna 仁和 |
885–889 AD | 5 years | Also rendered as Ninwa. Usage continued by the Emperor Uda upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Uda[44] 宇多天皇 (r. 887–897 AD) | ||||
| Kanpyō 寛平 |
889–898 AD | 10 years | Also rendered as Kanpei, Kanbyō, Kanbei, and Kanhei. Usage continued by the Emperor Daigo upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Daigo[45] 醍醐天皇 (r. 897–930 AD) | ||||
| Shōtai 昌泰 |
898–901 AD | 4 years | ||
| Engi 延喜 |
901–923 AD | 23 years | Book of Documents | |
| Enchō 延長 |
923–931 AD | 9 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Usage continued by the Emperor Suzaku upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Suzaku[46] 朱雀天皇 (r. 930–946 AD) | ||||
| Jōhei 承平 |
931–938 AD | 8 years | Book of Han | Also rendered as Shōhei. |
| Tengyō 天慶 |
938–947 AD | 10 years | Book of Han | Also rendered as Tenkei and Tenkyō. Usage continued by the Emperor Murakami upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Murakami[47] 村上天皇 (r. 946–967 AD) | ||||
| Tenryaku 天暦 |
947–957 AD | 11 years | Analects | Also rendered as Tenreki. |
| Tentoku 天徳 |
957–961 AD | 5 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Ōwa 応和 |
961–964 AD | 4 years | Book of Jin | |
| Kōhō 康保 |
964–968 AD | 5 years | Book of Documents | Usage continued by the Emperor Reizei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Reizei[48] 冷泉天皇 (r. 967–969 CE) | ||||
| Anna 安和 |
968–970 AD | 3 years | Book of Rites | Also rendered as Anwa. Usage continued by the Emperor En'yū upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor En'yū[49] 円融天皇 (r. 969–984 AD) | ||||
| Tenroku 天禄 |
970–974 AD | 5 years | ||
| Ten'en 天延 |
974–976 AD | 3 years | ||
| Jōgen 貞元 |
976–978 AD | 3 years | Also rendered as Teigen. | |
| Tengen 天元 |
978–983 AD | 6 years | ||
| Eikan 永観 |
983–985 AD | 3 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Yōkan. Usage continued by the Emperor Kazan upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Kazan[50] 花山天皇 (r. 984–986 AD) | ||||
| Kanna 寛和 |
985–987 AD | 3 years | Also rendered as Kanwa. Usage continued by the Emperor Ichijō upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Ichijō[51] 一条天皇 (r. 986–1011 AD) | ||||
| Eien 永延 |
987–989 AD | 3 years | Book of Han, Book of Later Han |
Also rendered as Yōen. |
| Eiso 永祚 |
989–990 AD | 2 years | Book of Jin, Old Book of Tang |
Also rendered as Yōso. |
| Shōryaku 正暦 |
990–995 AD | 6 years | Also rendered as Jōryaku and Shōreki. | |
| Chōtoku 長徳 |
995–999 AD | 5 years | Admonishment by the Colonel of the City Gates (城門校尉箴) | Also rendered as Jōryaku and Shōreki. |
| Chōhō 長保 |
999–1004 AD | 6 years | Discourses of the States | |
| Kankō 寛弘 |
1004–1012 AD | 9 years | Book of Han | Usage continued by the Emperor Sanjō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Sanjō[52] 三条天皇 (r. 1011–1016 AD) | ||||
| Chōwa 長和 |
1012–1017 AD | 6 years | Book of Rites | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Ichijō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Ichijō[53] 後一条天皇 (r. 1016–1036 AD) | ||||
| Kannin 寛仁 |
1017–1021 AD | 5 years | Records of Kuaiji (會稽記) | |
| Jian 治安 |
1021–1024 AD | 4 years | Book of Han | Also rendered as Chian. |
| Manju 万寿 |
1024–1028 AD | 5 years | Classic of Poetry | |
| Chōgen 長元 |
1028–1037 AD | 10 years | Six Secret Teachings | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Suzaku upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Suzaku[54] 後朱雀天皇 (r. 1036–1045 AD) | ||||
| Chōryaku 長暦 |
1037–1040 AD | 4 years | Spring and Autumn Annals, Book of Jin |
Also rendered as Chōreki. |
| Chōkyū 長久 |
1040–1044 AD | 5 years | Book of the Way and of Virtue | |
| Kantoku 寛徳 |
1044–1046 AD | 3 years | Book of Later Han | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Reizei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Reizei[55] 後冷泉天皇 (r. 1045–1068 AD) | ||||
| Eishō 永承 |
1046–1053 AD | 8 years | Book of Documents, Book of Jin, Book of Song |
Also rendered as Eijō and Yōjō. |
| Tengi 天喜 |
1053–1058 AD | 6 years | Book of the Master Who Embraces Simplicity | Also rendered as Tenki. |
| Kōhei 康平 |
1058–1065 AD | 8 years | Book of Later Han | |
| Jiryaku 治暦 |
1065–1069 AD | 5 years | Correct Interpretation of the Book of Documents (尚書正義) | Also rendered as Chiryaku. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Sanjō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Sanjō[56] 後三条天皇 (r. 1068–1073 AD) | ||||
| Enkyū 延久 |
1069–1074 AD | 6 years | Book of Documents | Usage continued by the Emperor Shirakawa upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Shirakawa[57] 白河天皇 (r. 1073–1087 CE) | ||||
| Jōhō 承保 |
1074–1077 AD | 4 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Shōhō and Shōho. |
| Jōryaku 承暦 |
1077–1081 AD | 5 years | Weicheng Dianxun (維城典訓) | Also rendered as Shōryaku and Shōreki. |
| Eihō 永保 |
1081–1084 AD | 4 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Yōhō. |
| Ōtoku 応徳 |
1084–1087 AD | 4 years | Comprehensive Meaning of White Tiger Pavilion | Usage continued by the Emperor Horikawa upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Horikawa[58] 堀河天皇 (r. 1087–1107 AD) | ||||
| Kanji 寛治 |
1087–1094 AD | 8 years | Book of Rites | |
| Kahō 嘉保 |
1094–1096 AD | 3 years | Records of the Grand Historian | |
| Eichō 永長 |
1096–1097 AD | 2 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Yōchō. |
| Jōtoku 承徳 |
1097–1099 AD | 3 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Shōtoku. |
| Kōwa 康和 |
1099–1104 CE | 6 years | Theories of Politics (政論) | |
| Chōji 長治 |
1104–1106 CE | 3 years | Book of Han | |
| Kajō 嘉承 |
1106–1108 CE | 3 years | Book of Han | Usage continued by the Emperor Toba upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Toba[59] 鳥羽天皇 (r. 1107–1123 AD) | ||||
| Tennin 天仁 |
1108–1110 AD | 3 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Ten'ei 天永 |
1110–1113 AD | 4 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Ten'yō. |
| Eikyū 永久 |
1113–1118 AD | 6 years | Mao Commentary | Also rendered as Yōkyū. |
| Gen'ei 元永 |
1118–1120 AD | 3 years | Also rendered as Gen'yō. | |
| Hōan 保安 |
1120–1124 AD | 5 years | Usage continued by the Emperor Sutoku upon his ascension to the throne. | |
| Emperor Sutoku[60] 崇徳天皇 (r. 1123–1142 AD) | ||||
| Tenji 天治 |
1124–1126 AD | 3 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Tenchi. |
| Daiji 大治 |
1126–1131 AD | 6 years | Hetu Tingzuofu (河圖挺佐輔) | Also rendered as Taiji. |
| Tenshō 天承 |
1131–1132 AD | 2 years | Book of Han | Also rendered as Tenjō. |
| Chōshō 長承 |
1132–1135 AD | 4 years | Records of the Grand Historian | Also rendered as Chōjō. |
| Hōen 保延 |
1135–1141 AD | 7 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Eiji 永治 |
1141–1142 AD | 2 years | On the Standards for Literature (典論), Book of Jin |
Usage continued by the Emperor Konoe upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Konoe[61] 近衛天皇 (r. 1142–1155 AD) | ||||
| Kōji 康治 |
1142–1144 AD | 3 years | Book of Song | |
| Ten'yō 天養 |
1144–1145 AD | 2 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Tennyō. |
| Kyūan 久安 |
1145–1151 AD | 7 years | Book of Jin | |
| Ninpei 仁平 |
1151–1154 AD | 4 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Ninpyō, Ninbyō, Ninhyō, and Ninhei. |
| Kyūju 久寿 |
1154–1156 AD | 3 years | Book of the Master Who Embraces Simplicity | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Shirakawa upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Shirakawa[62] 後白河天皇 (r. 1155–1158 AD) | ||||
| Hōgen 保元 |
1156–1159 AD | 4 years | Instructions for the Yan Clan (顏氏家訓) | Also rendered as Hogen. Usage continued by the Emperor Nijō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Nijō[63] 二条天皇 (r. 1158–1165 CE) | ||||
| Heiji 平治 |
1159–1160 AD | 2 years | Records of the Grand Historian | Also rendered as Byōji. |
| Eiryaku 永暦 |
1160–1161 AD | 2 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Yōryaku. |
| Ōhō 応保 |
1161–1163 AD | 3 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Ōpō. |
| Chōkan 長寛 |
1163–1165 AD | 3 years | Weicheng Dianxun (維城典訓) | Also rendered as Chōgan. |
| Eiman 永万 |
1165–1166 AD | 2 years | Book of Han | Also rendered as Yōman. Usage continued by the Emperor Rokujō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Rokujō[64] 六条天皇 (r. 1165–1168 AD) | ||||
| Nin'an 仁安 |
1166–1169 AD | 4 years | Correct Interpretation of the Mao Commentary (毛詩正義) | Also rendered as Ninnan. Usage continued by the Emperor Takakura upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Takakura[64] 高倉天皇 (r. 1168–1180 AD) | ||||
| Kaō 嘉応 |
1169–1171 AD | 3 years | Book of Han | |
| Jōan 承安 |
1171–1175 AD | 5 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Shōan. |
| Angen 安元 |
1175–1177 AD | 3 years | Book of Han | |
| Jishō 治承 |
1177–1181 AD | 5 years | Hetu Tingzuofu (河圖挺作輔) | Also rendered as Jijō and Chishō. Usage continued by the Emperor Antoku upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Antoku[65] 安徳天皇 (r. 1180–1185 AD) | ||||
| Yōwa 養和 |
1181–1182 AD | 8 years | Book of Later Han | |
| Juei 寿永 |
1182–1185 AD | 4 years | Classic of Poetry | Also used by the Emperor Go-Toba from 1183 AD to 1184 AD. |
| Emperor Go-Toba[66] 後鳥羽天皇 (r. 1183–1198 AD) | ||||
| Juei 寿永 |
1183–1184 AD | 2 years | Classic of Poetry | Also used by the Emperor Antoku from 1182 AD to 1185 AD. |
| Genryaku 元暦 |
1184–1185 AD | 2 years | Shangshu Kaolingyao (尚書考靈耀) | |
Kamakura period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Go-Toba 後鳥羽天皇 (r. 1183–1198 CE) | ||||
| Bunji 文治 |
1185–1190 CE | 6 years | Book of Rites | Also rendered as Monchi. |
| Kenkyū 建久 |
1190–1199 CE | 10 years | Book of Jin | Usage continued by the Emperor Tsuchimikado upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Tsuchimikado[67] 土御門天皇 (r. 1198–1210 CE) | ||||
| Shōji 正治 |
1199–1201 CE | 3 years | Zhuangzi | Also rendered as Shōchi. |
| Kennin 建仁 |
1201–1204 CE | 4 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Genkyū 元久 |
1204–1206 CE | 3 years | Correct Interpretation of the Mao Commentary (毛詩正義) | |
| Ken'ei 建永 |
1206–1207 CE | 2 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Also rendered as Ken'yō. |
| Jōgen 承元 |
1207–1211 CE | 5 years | Comprehensive Institutions | Also rendered as Shōgen. Usage continued by the Emperor Juntoku upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Juntoku[68] 順徳天皇 (r. 1210–1221 CE) | ||||
| Kenryaku 建暦 |
1211–1213 CE | 3 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Kenreki. |
| Kempo 建保 |
1213–1219 CE | 7 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Kenhō. |
| Jōkyū 承久 |
1219–1222 CE | 4 years | Apocrypha of the Classic of Poetry (詩緯) | Also rendered as Shōkyū. Usage continued by the Emperor Chūkyō and the Emperor Go-Horikawa upon their ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Horikawa[69] 後堀河天皇 (r. 1221–1232 CE) | ||||
| Jōō 貞応 |
1222–1224 CE | 3 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Teiō. |
| Gennin 元仁 |
1224–1225 CE | 2 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Karoku 嘉禄 |
1225–1227 CE | 3 years | Records of Diverse Matters | |
| Antei 安貞 |
1227–1229 CE | 3 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Anjō. |
| Kangi 寛喜 |
1229–1232 CE | 4 years | Book of Wei | Also rendered as Kanki. |
| Jōei 貞永 |
1232–1233 CE | 2 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Teiei. Usage continued by the Emperor Shijō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Shijō[70] 四条天皇 (r. 1232–1242 CE) | ||||
| Tenpuku 天福 |
1233–1234 CE | 2 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Tenfuku. |
| Bunryaku 文暦 |
1234–1235 CE | 2 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Also rendered as Monryaku and Monreki. |
| Katei 嘉禎 |
1235–1238 CE | 4 years | Book of Northern Qi | |
| Ryakunin 暦仁 |
1238–1239 CE | 2 years | Book of Sui | Also rendered as Rekinin. |
| En'ō 延応 |
1239–1240 CE | 2 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Also rendered as Ennō. |
| Ninji 仁治 |
1240–1243 CE | 4 years | New Book of Tang | Also rendered as Ninchi. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Saga upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Saga[71] 後嵯峨天皇 (r. 1242–1246 CE) | ||||
| Kangen 寛元 |
1243–1247 CE | 5 years | Book of Song | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Fukakusa upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Fukakusa[72] 後深草天皇 (r. 1246–1260 CE) | ||||
| Hōji 宝治 |
1247–1249 CE | 3 years | Luxuriant Dew of the Spring and Autumn Annals | |
| Kenchō 建長 |
1249–1256 CE | 8 years | Book of Later Han | |
| Kōgen 康元 |
1256–1257 CE | 2 years | ||
| Shōka 正嘉 |
1257–1259 CE | 3 years | Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature | |
| Shōgen 正元 |
1259–1260 CE | 2 years | Apocrypha of the Classic of Poetry (詩緯) | Usage continued by the Emperor Kameyama upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Kameyama[73] 亀山天皇 (r. 1260–1274 CE) | ||||
| Bun'ō 文応 |
1260–1261 CE | 2 years | Book of Jin | Also rendered as Bunnō. |
| Kōchō 弘長 |
1261–1264 CE | 4 years | The Political Program of the Zhenguan Period (貞觀政要) | |
| Bun'ei 文永 |
1264–1275 CE | 12 years | Book of Later Han | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Uda upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Uda[74] 後宇多天皇 (r. 1274–1287 CE) | ||||
| Kenji 建治 |
1275–1278 CE | 4 years | Rites of Zhou | |
| Kōan 弘安 |
1278–1288 CE | 11 years | Veritable Records of the Emperor Taizong of Tang (唐太宗實錄) | Usage continued by the Emperor Fushimi upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Fushimi[75] 伏見天皇 (r. 1287–1298 CE) | ||||
| Shōō 正応 |
1288–1293 CE | 6 years | Notes on the Mao Commentary (毛詩注) | |
| Einin 永仁 |
1293–1299 CE | 7 years | Book of Jin | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Fushimi upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Fushimi[76] 後伏見天皇 (r. 1298–1301 CE) | ||||
| Shōan 正安 |
1299–1302 CE | 4 years | The School Sayings of Confucius | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Nijō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Nijō[77] 後二条天皇 (r. 1301–1308 CE) | ||||
| Kengen 乾元 |
1302–1303 CE | 2 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Kagen 嘉元 |
1303–1306 CE | 4 years | Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature | |
| Tokuji 徳治 |
1306–1308 CE | 3 years | The Commentary of Zuo | Usage continued by the Emperor Hanazono upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Hanazono[78] 花園天皇 (r. 1308–1318 CE) | ||||
| Enkyō 延慶 |
1308–1311 CE | 4 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Engyō and Enkei. |
| Ōchō 応長 |
1311–1312 CE | 2 years | Old Book of Tang | |
| Shōwa 正和 |
1312–1317 CE | 6 years | Old Book of Tang | |
| Bunpō 文保 |
1317–1319 CE | 3 years | Book of Liang | Also rendered as Bunhō. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Daigo upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Daigo[79] 後醍醐天皇 (r. 1318–1339 CE) | ||||
| Gen'ō 元応 |
1319–1321 CE | 3 years | Old Book of Tang | Also rendered as Gennō. |
| Genkō 元亨 |
1321–1324 CE | 4 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Shōchū 正中 |
1324–1326 CE | 3 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Karyaku 嘉暦 |
1326–1329 CE | 4 years | Old Book of Tang | |
| Gentoku 元徳 |
1329–1332 CE | 4 years | Classic of Changes, Correct Interpretation of the Classic of Changes (周易正義) |
|
| Genkō 元弘 |
1331–1334 CE | 4 years | Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature | |
Nanboku-chō period
Southern Court
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Go-Daigo 後醍醐天皇 (r. 1318–1339 CE) | ||||
| Kenmu 建武 |
1334–1336 CE | 3 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Kenbu. Also used by the Emperor Kōmyō from 1336 CE to 1338 CE. |
| Engen 延元 |
1336–1340 CE | 5 years | Book of Liang | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Murakami upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Murakami 後村上天皇 (r. 1339–1368 CE) | ||||
| Kōkoku 興国 |
1340–1347 CE | 8 years | The Commentary of Zuo, Selections of Refined Literature, New History of the Five Dynasties |
|
| Shōhei 正平 |
1347–1370 CE | 24 years | Book of Song | Usage continued by the Emperor Chōkei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Chōkei 長慶天皇 (r. 1368–1383 CE) | ||||
| Kentoku 建徳 |
1370–1372 CE | 3 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Bunchū 文中 |
1372–1375 CE | 4 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Tenju 天授 |
1375–1381 CE | 7 years | Records of the Grand Historian | |
| Kōwa 弘和 |
1381–1384 CE | 4 years | Book of Documents | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Kameyama upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Kameyama 後亀山天皇 (r. 1383–1392 CE) | ||||
| Genchū 元中 |
1384–1392 CE | 9 years | Classic of Changes | Genchū 9 was superseded by Meitoku 3 in 1392 CE. |
Northern Court
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Kōgon 光厳天皇 (r. 1331–1333 CE) | ||||
| Shōkyō 正慶 |
1332–1333 CE | 2 years | Correct Interpretation of the Classic of Changes (周易正義) | Also rendered as Shōkyō. |
| Emperor Kōmyō 光明天皇 (r. 1336–1348 CE) | ||||
| Kenmu 建武 |
1336–1338 CE | 3 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Kenbu. Also used by the Emperor Go-Daigo from 1334 CE to 1336 CE. |
| Ryakuō 暦応 |
1338–1342 CE | 5 years | Records of Emperors and Kings (帝王世紀) | Also rendered as Rekiō. |
| Kōei 康永 |
1342–1345 CE | 4 years | Book of Han | |
| Jōwa 貞和 |
1345–1350 CE | 6 years | Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature | Also rendered as Teiwa. Usage continued by the Emperor Sukō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Sukō 崇光天皇 (r. 1348–1351 CE) | ||||
| Kannō 観応 |
1350–1352 CE | 3 years | Zhuangzi | Also rendered as Kan'ō. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Kōgon upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Kōgon 後光厳天皇 (r. 1352–1371 CE) | ||||
| Bunna 文和 |
1352–1356 CE | 5 years | Records of the Three Kingdoms, Old Book of Tang |
Also rendered as Bunwa. |
| Enbun 延文 |
1356–1361 CE | 6 years | Book of Han | |
| Kōan 康安 |
1361–1362 CE | 2 years | Correct Interpretation of the Records of the Grand Historian (史記正義), Old Book of Tang |
|
| Jōji 貞治 |
1362–1368 CE | 7 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Teiji. |
| Ōan 応安 |
1368–1375 CE | 8 years | Correct Interpretation of the Mao Commentary (毛詩正義) | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-En'yū upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-En'yū 後円融天皇 (r. 1371–1382 CE) | ||||
| Eiwa 永和 |
1375–1379 CE | 5 years | Book of Documents, Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature |
|
| Kōryaku 康暦 |
1379–1381 CE | 3 years | Old Book of Tang | |
| Eitoku 永徳 |
1381–1384 CE | 4 years | The Governing Principles of Ancient China (羣書治要) | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Komatsu upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Komatsu 後小松天皇 (r. 1382–1412 CE) | ||||
| Shitoku 至徳 |
1384–1387 CE | 4 years | Classic of Filial Piety | Also rendered as Meitoku |
| Kakei 嘉慶 |
1387–1389 CE | 3 years | Correct Interpretation of the Mao Commentary (毛詩正義) | Also rendered as Kakyō. |
| Kōō 康応 |
1389–1390 CE | 2 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Meitoku 明徳 |
1390–1394 CE | 5 years | Book of Rites | Meitoku 3 superseded Genchū 9 in 1392 CE. |
Muromachi period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Go-Komatsu 後小松天皇 (r. 1382–1412 CE) | ||||
| Ōei 応永 |
1394–1428 CE | 35 years | Institutional History of Tang | Usage continued by the Emperor Shōkō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Shōkō[80] 称光天皇 (r. 1412–1428 CE) | ||||
| Shōchō 正長 |
1428–1429 CE | 2 years | Correct Interpretation of the Book of Rites (禮記正義) | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Hanazono upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Hanazono[81] 後花園天皇 (r. 1428–1464 CE) | ||||
| Eikyō 永享 |
1429–1441 CE | 13 years | Book of Later Han | Also rendered as Eikō. |
| Kakitsu 嘉吉 |
1441–1444 CE | 4 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Kakichi. |
| Bun'an 文安 |
1444–1449 CE | 6 years | Book of Documents, Book of Jin |
Also rendered as Bunnan. |
| Hōtoku 宝徳 |
1449–1452 CE | 4 years | Old Book of Tang | |
| Kyōtoku 享徳 |
1452–1455 CE | 4 years | Book of Documents | |
| Kōshō 康正 |
1455–1457 CE | 3 years | Book of Documents, Records of the Grand Historian |
|
| Chōroku 長禄 |
1457–1460 CE | 4 years | Han Feizi | |
| Kanshō 寛正 |
1460–1466 CE | 7 years | The School Sayings of Confucius | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado[82] 後土御門天皇 (r. 1464–1500 CE) | ||||
| Bunshō 文正 |
1466–1467 CE | 2 years | Xunzi | Also rendered as Monshō. |
| Ōnin 応仁 |
1467–1469 CE | 3 years | Weicheng Dianxun (維城典訓) | |
| Bunmei 文明 |
1469–1487 CE | 19 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Chōkyō 長享 |
1487–1489 CE | 3 years | Selections of Refined Literature, The Commentary of Zuo, Book of Later Han |
|
| Entoku 延徳 |
1489–1492 CE | 4 years | Mencius | |
| Meiō 明応 |
1492–1501 CE | 4 years | Classic of Changes | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Kashiwabara upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Kashiwabara[83] 後柏原天皇 (r. 1500–1526 CE) | ||||
| Bunki 文亀 |
1501–1504 CE | 4 years | The Literary Expositor | |
| Eishō 永正 |
1504–1521 CE | 18 years | Apocrypha of the Classic of Changes (周易緯) | |
| Daiei 大永 |
1521–1528 CE | 8 years | Comprehensive Institutions | Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Nara upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Nara[84] 後奈良天皇 (r. 1526–1557 CE) | ||||
| Kyōroku 享禄 |
1528–1532 CE | 5 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Tenbun 天文 |
1532–1555 CE | 24 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Tenmon. |
| Kōji 弘治 |
1555–1558 CE | 4 years | Book of Northern Qi | Usage continued by the Emperor Ōgimachi upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Ōgimachi[85] 正親町天皇 (r. 1557–1586 CE) | ||||
| Eiroku 永禄 |
1558–1570 CE | 13 years | The Governing Principles of Ancient China (羣書治要) | Also rendered as Yōroku. |
| Genki 元亀 |
1570–1573 CE | 4 years | Mao Commentary, Selections of Refined Literature |
|
Azuchi–Momoyama period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Ōgimachi 正親町天皇 (r. 1557–1586 CE) | ||||
| Tenshō 天正 |
1573–1592 CE | 20 years | Selections of Refined Literature, Book of the Way and of Virtue |
Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Yōzei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Yōzei[86] 後陽成天皇 (r. 1586–1611 CE) | ||||
| Bunroku 文禄 |
1592–1596 CE | 5 years | Comprehensive Institutions | |
| Keichō 慶長 |
1596–1615 CE | 20 years | Correct Interpretation of the Mao Commentary (毛詩注疏) | Also rendered as Kyōchō. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Mizunoo upon his ascension to the throne. |
Edo period
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Go-Mizunoo[87] 後水尾天皇 (r. 1611–1629 CE) | ||||
| Genna 元和 |
1615–1624 CE | 10 years | Era name of the Emperor Xianzong of Tang | Also rendered as Genwa. |
| Kan'ei 寛永 |
1624–1644 CE | 21 years | Collected Commentaries on the Classic of Poetry (詩集傳) | Usage continued by the Empress Meishō and the Emperor Go-Kōmyō upon their ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Kōmyō[88] 後光明天皇 (r. 1643–1654 AD) | ||||
| Shōhō 正保 |
1645–1648 CE | 4 years | Book of Documents | |
| Keian 慶安 |
1648–1652 CE | 5 years | Classic of Changes | Also rendered as Kyōan. |
| Jōō 承応 |
1652–1655 CE | 4 years | Book of Jin | Also rendered as Shōō. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Sai upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Sai[89] 後西天皇 (r. 1655–1663 AD) | ||||
| Meireki 明暦 |
1655–1658 CE | 4 years | Book of Han, Book of Later Han |
Also rendered as Myōryaku and Meiryaku. |
| Manji 万治 |
1658–1661 CE | 4 years | Records of the Grand Historian, The Political Program of the Zhenguan Period (貞觀政要) |
Also rendered as Manchi. |
| Kanbun 寛文 |
1661–1673 CE | 13 years | Xunzi | Usage continued by the Emperor Reigen upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Reigen[90] 霊元天皇 (r. 1663–1687 AD) | ||||
| Enpō 延宝 |
1673–1681 CE | 9 years | Book of Sui | Also rendered as Enhō. Formerly written as "延寳" in kanji. |
| Tenna 天和 |
1681–1684 CE | 4 years | Book of Documents, Book of Han, Book of Later Han, Zhuangzi |
Also rendered as Tenwa. |
| Jōkyō 貞享 |
1684–1688 CE | 5 years | Classic of Changes | Usage continued by the Emperor Higashiyama upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Higashiyama[91] 東山天皇 (r. 1687–1709 AD) | ||||
| Genroku 元禄 |
1688–1704 CE | 16 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Hōei 宝永 |
1704–1711 CE | 8 years | Old Book of Tang | Usage continued by the Emperor Nakamikado upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Nakamikado[92] 中御門天皇 (r. 1709–1735 AD) | ||||
| Shōtoku 正徳 |
1711–1716 CE | 6 years | Book of Documents | |
| Kyōhō 享保 |
1716–1736 CE | 21 years | Book of Zhou | Usage continued by the Emperor Sakuramachi upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Sakuramachi[93] 桜町天皇 (r. 1735–1747 AD) | ||||
| Genbun 元文 |
1736–1741 CE | 6 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Kanpō 寛保 |
1741–1744 CE | 4 years | Discourses of the States | Also rendered as Kanhō. |
| Enkyō 延享 |
1744–1748 CE | 5 years | Classified Collection Based on the Classics and Other Literature | Usage continued by the Emperor Momozono upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Momozono[94] 桃園天皇 (r. 1747–1762 AD) | ||||
| Kan'en 寛延 |
1748–1751 CE | 4 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Hōreki 宝暦 |
1751–1764 CE | 14 years | The Political Program of the Zhenguan Period (貞觀政要) | Also rendered as Hōryaku. Usage continued by the Empress Go-Sakuramachi upon her ascension to the throne. |
| Empress Go-Sakuramachi[95] 後桜町天皇 (r. 1762–1771 AD) | ||||
| Meiwa 明和 |
1764–1772 CE | 9 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Myōwa. Usage continued by the Emperor Go-Momozono upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Go-Momozono[96] 後桃園天皇 (r. 1771–1779 AD) | ||||
| An'ei 安永 |
1772–1781 CE | 10 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Usage continued by the Emperor Kōkaku upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Kōkaku[97] 光格天皇 (r. 1780–1817 AD) | ||||
| Tenmei 天明 |
1781–1789 CE | 9 years | Book of Documents | |
| Kansei 寛政 |
1789–1801 CE | 13 years | The Commentary of Zuo | |
| Kyōwa 享和 |
1801–1804 CE | 4 years | Selections of Refined Literature | |
| Bunka 文化 |
1804–1818 CE | 15 years | Classic of Changes, Book of Later Han |
Usage continued by the Emperor Ninkō upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Ninkō[98] 仁孝天皇 (r. 1817–1846 AD) | ||||
| Bunsei 文政 |
1818–1830 CE | 13 years | Book of Documents | |
| Tenpō 天保 |
1830–1844 CE | 15 years | Book of Documents | Also rendered as Tenhō. |
| Kōka 弘化 |
1844–1848 CE | 5 years | Book of Documents | Usage continued by the Emperor Kōmei upon his ascension to the throne. |
| Emperor Kōmei 孝明天皇 (r. 1846–1867 AD) | ||||
| Kaei 嘉永 |
1848–1854 CE | 7 years | Book of Song | |
| Ansei 安政 |
1854–1860 CE | 7 years | The Governing Principles of Ancient China (羣書治要) | |
| Man'en 万延 |
1860–1861 CE | 2 years | Book of Later Han | |
| Bunkyū 文久 |
1861–1864 CE | 4 years | Book of Later Han | |
| Genji 元治 |
1864–1865 CE | 2 years | Classic of Changes, Records of the Three Kingdoms |
|
| Keiō 慶応 |
1865–1868 CE | 4 years | Selections of Refined Literature | Usage continued by the Emperor Meiji upon his ascension to the throne. |
Modern Japan
The "one reign, one era name" (一世一元) system was implemented in 1868 AD.
| Era name | Period of use | Length of use | Derived from | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor Meiji 明治天皇 (r. 1867–1912 AD) | ||||
| Meiji 明治 |
1868–1912 AD | 45 years | Classic of Changes | |
| Emperor Taishō 大正天皇 (r. 1912–1926 AD) | ||||
| Taishō 大正 |
1912–1926 AD | 15 years | Classic of Changes | Rejected proposals were Tenkō (天興), Kōka (興化), Eian (永安), Kentoku (乾徳), Shōtoku (昭徳). |
| Emperor Shōwa 昭和天皇 (r. 1926–1989 AD) | ||||
| Shōwa 昭和 |
1926–1989 AD | 64 years | Book of Documents | Rejected proposals were Jinka (神化), Genka (元化), Jinwa (神和), Dōwa (同和), Keimei (繼明), Junmei (順明), Meiho (明保), Kan'an (寛安), Gen'an (元安), Ryūsei (立成), Teigyō (定業), Kōbun (光文), Shōmei (章明), Kyōchū (協中). |
| Akihito 明仁 (r. 1989–2019 AD) | ||||
| Heisei 平成 |
1989–2019 AD | 31 years | Records of the Grand Historian, Book of Documents |
Rejected proposals were Shūbun (修文), Seika (正化). |
| Naruhito 徳仁 (r. 2019 AD–present) | ||||
| Reiwa 令和 |
2019 AD–present | 4 years, 252 days | Man'yōshū | First Japanese era name extracted from Japanese literature instead of Chinese literature.[99][100][101][102] Rejected proposals were Eikō (英弘), Kyūka (久化), Kōshi (also rendered as Kōji; 広至), Banna (also rendered as Banwa; 万和), Banpo (also rendered as Banhō; 万保). |
Non-nengō periods
Unofficial non-nengō periods (shinengō) before 701 are called itsunengō (逸年号). Pre-Taika chronology intervals include:
- 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 BC–AD 71
- Reign of Emperor Keikō, AD 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[lower-alpha 2]
- Reign of Emperor Jomei, 629–645
Post-Taika chronology intervals not covered by the nengō system include:
- Reign of Empress Saimei, 655–662[105] ... Saimei (period)[12]
- Reign of Emperor Tenji, 662–672[106] ... Tenji (period)[12]
- Reign of Emperor Kōbun, 672–673[107] ... Kōbun (period) or Sujaku[12] (or Suzaku)
- Reign of Emperor Tenmu, 673–686[108] ... Tenmu (period) or Hakuhō period[12][109]
- Reign of Empress Jitō, 687–697[110] ... Jitō (period)[12]
- Reign of Emperor Monmu, 697–701[111] ... Monmu (period)[12]
See also
Notes
- ↑ A list of shinengō and more information can be seen in the Japanese language entry on 私年号.
- ↑ The National Diet Library (NDL) website explains that "Japan organized its first calendar in the 12th year of Suiko (604)", which was a pre-nengō time frame.Nussbaum (2005)[103][104]
Citations
- ↑ Lü, Zongli (2003). Power of the words: Chen prophecy in Chinese politics, AD 265-618. ISBN 9783906769561.
- 1 2 Sogner, Sølvi (2001). Making Sense of Global History: The 19th International Congress of the Historical Sciences, Oslo 2000, Commemorative Volume. ISBN 9788215001067.
- ↑ Jølstad, Anders; Lunde, Marianne (2000). "International Congress of Historical Sciences". International Congress of Historical Sciences. 19. ISBN 9788299561419. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- ↑ "Ancient tradition carries forward with Japan's new era". Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- 1 2 Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Reiwa Nengō Announcement Footage, 1 April 2019
- ↑ Rich, Motoko (30 April 2019). "Emperor Akihito, Who Gave Japan's Monarchy a Human Face, Abdicates Throne". The New York Times. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ↑ "天皇陛下 「生前退位」の意向示される ("His Majesty The Emperor Indicates His Intention to 'Abdicate'")" (in Japanese). NHK. 13 July 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- ↑ "Japanese Emperor Akihito 'wishes to abdicate'". BBC News. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- ↑ "Japan rings in new era as Naruhito becomes emperor". Al Jazeera. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- 1 2 Brown & Ishida (1979), p. 32.
- ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794–1869, p. 321.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Murray (1894) p. 402, citing Bramsen (1880) pp. 54–55.The year-periods (nengō) do not ordinarily overlap with the reigns of the early monarchs; and generally, a new one was chosen whenever it was deemed necessary to commemorate an auspicious or ward off a malign event.
- ↑ "The Japanese Calendar", National Diet Library, Japan
- ↑ "年号一覧" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 October 2007.
- ↑ "JapaneseDate (Java Platform SE 8 )". Archived from the original on 15 May 2015.
- ↑ "The Japanese Calendar's Y2K Moment".
- ↑ "JDK 11 Release Notes, Important Changes, and Information". www.oracle.com. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
Japanese calendars, both in java.time.chrono and java.util packages support the upcoming Japanese new era, which will be in effect from May 1st, 2019. While the name of the era was yet to be known, placeholder names ("元号" for Japanese, "NewEra" for other languages) are provided for its display names. The placeholder names will be replaced with the legitimate era name, Reiwa, in a future update, thus applications should not depend on those placeholder names.
- ↑ Kishida, Naoki (14 July 2018). "Java 11 API Change Proposals". DZone Java. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- ↑ Request to reserve the code point for square Japanese new era name (PDF), 19 December 2017
- ↑ The Japan National Body (23 May 2018), Update on SC2 N4577 "Request to reserve the code point for square Japanese new era name" (PDF)
- ↑ "RESOLUTION M 23-10", Resolutions of the 23rd ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 2 Plenary Meeting, 28 June 2018
- ↑ Future Additions to ISO/IEC 10646 (January 2018) (PDF), 25 January 2018
- ↑ "Proposed New Characters: Pipeline Table". Unicode Consortium. 30 June 2018.
- ↑ Whistler, Ken (16 July 2018), Unicode 12.1 Planning Considerations
- ↑ Tsuchihashi (1952), p. 16.
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 266–267; Varley (1980) pp. 132–133; Titsingh (1834) pp. 47–50
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 268–269; Varley (1980), pp. 135–136; Titsingh (1834) pp. 58–59
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 270–271; Varley (1980), pp. 137–140; Titsingh (1834) pp. 60–63
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) p. 271; Varley (1980), p. 140; Titsingh (1834) pp. 63–65
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 271–272; Varley (1980), pp. 140–141; Titsingh (1834) pp. 65–67
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 272–273; Varley (1980), pp. 141–143; Titsingh (1834) pp. 67–73
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 274–275; Varley (1980), p. 143; Titsingh (1834) pp. 73–75
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) p. 276; Varley (1980), pp. 144–147; Titsingh (1834) pp. 78–81
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 276–277; Varley (1980), pp. 147–148; Titsingh (1834) pp. 81–85
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 277–279; Varley (1980), pp. 148–150; Titsingh (1834) pp. 86–95
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 279–280; Varley (1980), p. 151; Titsingh (1834) pp. 96–97
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 280–282; Varley (1980), pp. 151–164; Titsingh (1834) pp. 97–102
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 282–283; Varley (1980), p. 164; Titsingh (1834) pp. 103–106
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 283–284; Varley (1980), pp. 164–165; Titsingh (1834) pp. 106–112
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 285–286; Varley (1980), p. 165; Titsingh (1834) pp. 112–115
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 286–288; Varley (1980), pp. 166–170; Titsingh (1834) pp. 115–121
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 288–289; Varley (1980), pp. 170–171; Titsingh (1834) pp. 121–124
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) p. 289; Varley (1980), pp. 171–175; Titsingh (1834) pp. 124–125
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 289–290; Varley (1980), pp. 175–179; Titsingh (1834) pp. 125–129
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 290–293; Varley (1980), pp. 179–181; Titsingh (1834) pp. 129–134
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 294–295; Varley (1980), pp. 181–183; Titsingh (1834) pp. 134–138
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 295–298; Varley (1980), pp. 183–190; Titsingh (1834) pp. 139–142
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) p. 298; Varley (1980), pp. 190–191; Titsingh (1834) pp. 142–143
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 299–300; Varley (1980), pp. 191–192; Titsingh (1834) pp. 144–148
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 300–302; Varley (1980), p. 192; Titsingh (1834) pp. 148–149
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 302–307; Varley (1980), pp. 192–195; Titsingh (1834) pp. 150–154
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) p. 307; Varley (1980), p. 195; Titsingh (1834) pp. 154–155
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 307–310; Varley (1980), pp. 195–196; Titsingh (1834) pp. 156–160
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 310–311; Varley (1980), p. 197; Titsingh (1834) pp. 160–162
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 311–314; Varley (1980), pp. 197–198; Titsingh (1834) pp. 162–166
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 314–315; Varley (1980), pp. 198–199; Titsingh (1834) pp. 166–168
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 315–317; Varley (1980), pp. 199–202; Titsingh (1834) pp. 169–171
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 317–320; Varley (1980), p. 202; Titsingh (1834) pp. 172–178
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 320–322; Varley (1980), pp. 203–204; Titsingh (1834) pp. 178–181
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 322–324; Varley (1980), pp. 204–205; Titsingh (1834) pp. 181–185
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 324–326; Varley (1980), p. 205; Titsingh (1834) pp. 186–188
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 326–327; Varley (1980), pp. 205–208; Titsingh (1834) pp. 188–190188–190.
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 327–329; Varley (1980), pp. 208–212; Titsingh (1834) pp. 191–194
- 1 2 Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 329–330; Varley (1980), p. 212; Titsingh (1834) pp. 194–195
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 333–334; Varley (1980), pp. 214–215; Titsingh (1834) pp. 20–207
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 334–339; Varley (1980), pp. 215–220; Titsingh (1834) pp. 207–221
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 339–341; Varley (1980), p. 220; Titsingh (1834) pp. 221–230
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 341–343; Varley (1980), pp. 221–223; Titsingh (1834) pp. 230–238
- ↑ Brown & Ishida (1979) pp. 344–349; Varley (1980), pp. 226–227; Titsingh (1834) pp. 238–241
- ↑ Varley (1980), p. 227; Titsingh (1834) pp. 242–245
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 228–231; Titsingh (1834) pp. 245–247
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 231–232; Titsingh (1834) pp. 248–253
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 232–233; Titsingh (1834) pp. 253–261
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 233–237; Titsingh (1834) pp. 262–269
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 237–238; Titsingh (1834) pp. 269–274
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 238–239; Titsingh (1834) pp. 274–275
- ↑ Varley (1980), p. 239; Titsingh (1834) pp. 275–278
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 239–241; Titsingh (1834) pp. 278–281
- ↑ Varley (1980), pp. 241–269; Titsingh (1834) pp. 281–286, 290–294
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 327–331
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 331–351
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 352–364
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 364–372
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 372–382
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 382–402
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 402–409
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 410–411
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 412–413
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) p. 413
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 414–415
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 415–416
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 416–417
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 417–418
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 418–419
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) p. 419
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 419–420
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) pp. 420–421
- ↑ Titsingh (1834) p. 421
- ↑ McCurry, Justin. "Reiwa: how Japan's new era name is breaking tradition".
- ↑ Sim, Walter. "Sign of the times: Japan picks Reiwa to succeed Heisei as new imperial era from May 1".
- ↑ Osaki, Tomohiro. "Reiwa: Japan reveals name of new era ahead of Emperor's abdication".
- ↑ "新元号は「令和」（れいわ） 万葉集典拠、国書由来は初". Asahi News Digital (in Japanese). 1 April 2019. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ↑ "The Japanese Calendar".
- ↑ "Jikkan Jūnishi" p. 420.
- ↑ NengoCalc (655) 斉明 Saimei
- ↑ NengoCalc (622) 天智 Tenji
- ↑ NengoCalc (672) 弘文 Kōbun
- ↑ NengoCalc (673) 弘文 Tenmu
- ↑ Compare Nussbaum (2005) "Hakuhō" p. 280; "Hakuhou jidai". JAANUS (Japanese Architecture and Art Net Users System). 2001. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
- ↑ NengoCalc (687) 持統 Jitō
- ↑ NengoCalc (697) 文武 Monmu
References
- Bramsen, William. (1880). Japanese Chronological Tables: Showing the Date, According to the Julian or Gregorian Calendar, of the First Day of Each Japanese Month, from Tai-kwa 1st year to Mei-ji 6th year (645 AD to 1873 AD): with an Introductory Essay on Japanese Chronology and Calendars. Tokyo: Seishi Bunsha. OCLC 35728014.
- Brown, Delmer M.; Ishida, Ichirō, eds. (1979). The Future and the Past: a translation and study of the Gukanshô, an interpretative history of Japan written in 1219. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0. OCLC 251325323.
- Daijirin, 2nd edition.
- Daijisen, 1st edition.
- Kōjien, 5th edition.
- Murray, David (1894). The Story of Japan. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. OCLC 1016340.
- NengoCalc. Online conversion of Japanese dates into their Western equivalents; calculation is based on tables from Tsuchihashi (1952) and Zöllner (2003).
- Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric (2005). Japan encyclopedia. Translated by Käthe Roth. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5. OCLC 58053128.
- Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887
- Titsingh, Isaac (1834). Nipon o daï itsi ran: ou Annales des empereurs du Japon (in French). Translated by Titsingh, Isaac. Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 5850691. Nihon Ōdai Ichiran
- Tsuchihashi, Paul Yashita (1952). Japanese chronological tables from 601 to 1872 (邦曆西曆對照表: 自推古九年至明治五年, Hōreki seireki taishōhyō: Suiko kyūnen yori Meiji gonen ni itaru) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Sophia University. OCLC 001291275.
- Varley, H. Paul (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-04940-5. OCLC 59145842.
- Zöllner, Reinhard (2003). Japanische Zeitrechnung: ein Handbuch. Munich: Iudicium Verlag. ISBN 9783891297834. OCLC 249297777.
- 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.
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