Japanese era name

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The Japanese era calendar scheme is a common calendar scheme used in Japan, which identifies a year by the combination of the Template:Nihongo and the year number within the era. For example, the year 2010 is Heisei 22.

As elsewhere in East Asia, the use of nengō, also known as Template:Nihongo, was originally derived from Chinese Imperial practice, although the Japanese system is independent of the Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese era-naming systems. Unlike some of 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. AD 1980). At 64 years, Shōwa is the longest era to date.

Contents

Overview

The system on which the Japanese nengō are based originated in China in 140 BC, and was adopted by Japan in AD 645, during the reign of Emperor Kōtoku.

The first nengō to be assigned was Template:Nihongo, celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great Template:Nihongo. Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive nengō was interrupted in the late seventh century, it was permanently re-adopted in 701 during the reign of Emperor Mommu (697–707). Since then, era names have been used continuously up through the present day.[1]

Historical nengō

Prior to the Meiji period, era names were decided by court officials and were subjected to frequent change. A new nengō was usually proclaimed within a year or two after the ascension of a new emperor. A new nengō was also often designated on the first, fifth and 58th years of the sexagenary cycle, because they were inauspicious years in Onmyōdō. These three years are respectively known as Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo, and Template:Nihongo, and collectively known as Template:Nihongo. Era names were also changed due to other felicitous events or natural disasters.

In historical practice, Template:Nihongo 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.[1]

Era names indicate the various reasons for their adoption. For instance, the nengō Template:Nihongo, 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. Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo and Template:Nihongo 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 Template:Nihongo, Template:Nihongo and Template:Nihongo.Template:Fact Although there currently exist a total of 247 Japanese era names, only 72 kanji have been used in composing them. Out of these 72 kanji, 30 of them have been used only once, while the rest have been used repeatedly in different combinations.

Nengō in modern Japan

Mutsuhito assumed the throne in 1867, during the third year of the Template:Nihongo era. On October 23, 1868, the era name was changed to Template:Nihongo, and a Template:Nihongo 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, Template:Nihongo starts immediately upon the emperor's ascension to the throne and ends on December 31. Subsequent years follow the Gregorian calendar.

For example, the Meiji era lasted until July 30, 1912, when the emperor died and the Template:Nihongo era was proclaimed. 1912 is therefore known as both "Meiji 45" and Template:Nihongo, although Meiji technically ended on July 30 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 Template:Nihongo. 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 Template:Nihongo.

N.B.: It is protocol in Japan that the reigning emperor should be referred to as Tennō Heika (天皇陛下, "His Majesty the Emperor") or Kinjō Tennō (今上天皇, "current emperor"). To call the current emperor by the current era name, i.e. "Heisei", even in English, is a faux pas, as this is—and will be—his posthumous name. Use of the emperor's given name (i.e., "Akihito") is rare in Japanese.

Conversion table from Gregorian calendar years to nengō

To convert a Japanese year to a Western or Gregorian calendar year, find the first year of the nengō (the nengō = the era name, see list below). When found, subtract 1, and add the number of the Japanese year. For example, the 23rd year of the Showa Era (Showa 23) would be 1948:

ILLUSTRATION: 1926 − 1 = 1925 ..., and then 1925 + 23 = 1948 ... or Showa 23.
CONVERSION TABLE: Gregorian calendar years / nengō
Year 1 Kanji Romanization Meaning Notes
Asuka period (538–710)
498 Earliest date for which specific shinengō are used; "Unofficial nengō system" section below
645 大化 Taika "Great Reform"[1] Emperor Kōtoku, 645–654.[1] Also known as "Great Development"[1]
650 白雉 Hakuchi "White Pheasant"[1]
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.[1]
686 Naming of eras temporarily discontinued from 686–701: See "Non-Nengō periods" section below
701 大宝 Taihō "Great Law"[1] also Daihō; Emperor Mommu, 697–707.[1] Also known as "Great Treasure"[1]
704 慶雲 Keiun "jubilant cloud" also Kyōun; Empress Gemmei, 707–715.[1]
708 和銅 Wadō "Japanese Copper"[1]
Nara period (710–794)
715 霊亀 Reiki "ethereal tortoise" Empress Genshō, 715–724.[1]
717 養老 Yōrō "caring for the aged"
724 神亀 Jinki "divine tortoise" also Shinki; Emperor Shōmu, 724–749.[1]
729 天平 Tenpyō "heavenly peace" also Tenbyō or Tenhei
749 天平感宝 Tenpyō-kanpō "Gratitude for Treasure"[1] also Tenbyō-kanpō
749 天平勝宝 Tenpyō-shōhō "Heavenly Peace and Victorious Buddhism"[1] also Tenbyō-shōbō or Tenpei-shōhō; Empress Kōken, 749–758.[1]
757 天平宝字 Tenpyō-hōji "Lucky Inscription"[1] also Tenbyō-hōji or Tenpei-hōji; Emperor Junnin, 758–764;[1] Empress Shōtoku, 764–770.[1]
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.[1]
781 天応 Ten'ō "heavenly answer" Emperor Kammu, 781–806.[1]
782 延暦 Enryaku "prolonged calendar"
Heian period (794–1192)
806 大同 Daidō "great similarity" Emperor Heizei, 806–809;[1] Emperor Saga, 809–823.[1]
810 弘仁 Kōnin "broad virtue" Emperor Junna, 823–833.[1]
824 天長 Tenchō "heavenly length" Emperor Ninmyō, 833–850.[1]
834 承和 Jōwa "Flourishing Treasure"[1] also Shōwa or Sōwa
848 嘉祥 Kashō "Good Augury"[1] also Kajō; Emperor Montoku, 850–858.[1]
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.[1]
859 貞観 Jōgan "righteous appearance" Emperor Yōzei, 876–884.[1]
877 元慶 Gangyō "former jubilation" also Gankyō or Genkei; Emperor Kōkō, 884–887.[1]
885 仁和 Ninna "virtuous peace" also Ninwa; Emperor Uda, 887–897.[1]
889 寛平 Kanpyō "tolerant balance" also Kanpei or Kanbyō or Kanbei or Kanhei; Emperor Daigo, 887–930.[1]
898 昌泰 Shōtai "prosperous calm"
901 延喜 Engi "prolonged rejoice"
923 延長 Enchō "prolonged chief" Emperor Suzaku, 930–946.[1]
931 承平 Jōhei "receive balance" also Shōhei
938 天慶 Tengyō "heavenly jubilation" also Tenkei or Tenkyō; Emperor Murakami, 946–967.[1]
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.[1]
968 安和 Anna "calm peace" also Anwa; Emperor En'yū, 969–984.[1]
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.[1]
985 寛和 Kanna "tolerant peace" also Kanwa; Emperor Ichijō, 986–1011.[1]
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 ...Template:Fact Emperor Sanjō, 1011–1016.[1]
1012 長和 Chōwa ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Ichijō, 1016–1036.[1]
1017 寛仁 Kannin ...Template:Fact
1021 治安 Jian ...Template:Fact also Chian
1024 万寿 Manju ...Template:Fact
1028 長元 Chōgen ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Suzaku, 1036–1045.[1]
1037 長暦 Chōryaku ...Template:Fact also Chōreki
1040 長久 Chōkyū ...Template:Fact
1044 寛徳 Kantoku ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Reizei, 1045–1068.[1]
1046 永承 Eishō ...Template:Fact also Eijō or Yōjō
1053 天喜 Tengi ...Template:Fact also Tenki
1058 康平 Kōhei ...Template:Fact
1065 治暦 Jiryaku ...Template:Fact also Chiryaku
1069 延久 Enkyū ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Sanjō, 1068–1073.[1]
1074 承保 Jōhō ...Template:Fact also Shōhō or Shōho; Emperor Shirakawa, 1073–1086.[1]
1077 承暦 Jōryaku ...Template:Fact also Shōryaku or Shōreki
1081 永保 Eihō ...Template:Fact also Yōhō
1084 応徳 Ōtoku ...Template:Fact
1087 寛治 Kanji ...Template:Fact Emperor Horikawa, 1087–1107.[1]
1094 嘉保 Kahō ...Template:Fact
1096 永長 Eichō ...Template:Fact also Yōchō
1097 承徳 Jōtoku ...Template:Fact also Shōtoku
1099 康和 Kōwa ...Template:Fact
1104 長治 Chōji ...Template:Fact
1106 嘉承 Kajō ...Template:Fact also Kashō or Kasō; Emperor Toba, 1107–1123.[1]
1108 天仁 Tennin ...Template:Fact
1110 天永 Ten'ei ...Template:Fact also Ten'yō
1113 永久 Eikyū ...Template:Fact also Yōkyū
1118 元永 Gen'ei ...Template:Fact
1120 保安 Hōan ...Template:Fact Emperor Sutoku, 1123–1142.[1]
1124 天治 Tenji ...Template:Fact also Tenchi
1126 大治 Daiji ...Template:Fact also Taiji
1131 天承 Tenshō ...Template:Fact also Tenjō
1132 長承 Chōshō ...Template:Fact also Chōjō
1135 保延 Hōen ...Template:Fact
1141 永治 Eiji ...Template:Fact
1142 康治 Kōji ...Template:Fact Emperor Konoe, 1142–1155.[1]
1144 天養 Ten'yō ...Template:Fact also Tennyō
1145 久安 Kyūan ...Template:Fact
1151 仁平 Ninpei ...Template:Fact also Ninpyō or Ninbyō or Ninhyō or Ninhei
1154 久寿 Kyūju ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Shirakawa, 1155–1158.[1]
1156 保元 Hōgen ...Template:Fact also Hogen; Emperor Nijō, 1158–1165.[1]
1159 平治 Heiji ...Template:Fact also Byōji
1160 永暦 Eiryaku ...Template:Fact also Yōryaku
1161 応保 Ōhō ...Template:Fact
1163 長寛 Chōkan ...Template:Fact also Chōgan
1165 永万 Eiman ...Template:Fact also Yōman; Emperor Rokujō, 1165–1168.[1]
1166 仁安 Nin'an ...Template:Fact also Ninnan; Emperor Takakura, 1168–1180.[1]
1169 嘉応 Kaō ...Template:Fact
1171 承安 Jōan ...Template:Fact also Shōan
1175 安元 Angen ...Template:Fact
1177 治承 Jishō ...Template:Fact also Jijō or Chishō; Emperor Antoku, 1180–1185.[1]
1181 養和 Yōwa ...Template:Fact
1182 寿永 Juei ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Toba, 1183–1198.[1]
1184 元暦 Genryaku ...Template:Fact
1185 文治 Bunji ...Template:Fact also Monchi
1190 建久 Kenkyū ...Template:Fact Emperor Tsuchimikado, 1198–1210.[1]
Kamakura period (1192–1333)
1199 正治 Shōji ...Template:Fact
1201 建仁 Kennin ...Template:Fact
1204 元久 Genkyū ...Template:Fact
1206 建永 Ken'ei ...Template:Fact also Ken'yō
1207 承元 Jōgen ...Template:Fact also Shōgen; Emperor Juntoku, 1210–1221.[1]
1211 建暦 Kenryaku ...Template:Fact
1213 建保 Kenpō ...Template:Fact also Kenhō
1219 承久 Jōkyū ...Template:Fact also Shōkyū; Emperor Chūkyō, 1221;.[1] Emperor Go-Horikawa, 1221–1232.[1]
1222 貞応 Jōō "righteous answer" also Teiō
1224 元仁 Gennin ...Template:Fact
1225 嘉禄 Karoku ...Template:Fact
1227 安貞 Antei ...Template:Fact also Anjō
1229 寛喜 Kangi ...Template:Fact also Kanki
1232 貞永 Jōei ...Template:Fact also Teiei; Emperor Shijō, 1232–1242.[1]
1233 天福 Tenpuku ...Template:Fact also Tenfuku
1234 文暦 Bunryaku ...Template:Fact also Monryaku or Monreki
1235 嘉禎 Katei ...Template:Fact
1238 暦仁 Ryakunin ...Template:Fact also Rekinin
1239 延応 En'ō ...Template:Fact also Ennō
1240 仁治 Ninji ...Template:Fact also Ninchi; Emperor Go-Saga, 1242–1246.[1]
1243 寛元 Kangen ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Fukakusa, 1246–1260.[1]
1247 宝治 Hōji ...Template:Fact
1249 建長 Kenchō ...Template:Fact
1256 康元 Kōgen ...Template:Fact Emperor Kameyama, 1260–1274.[1]
1257 正嘉 Shōka ...Template:Fact
1259 正元 Shōgen ...Template:Fact
1260 文応 Bun'ō ...Template:Fact also Bunnō
1261 弘長 Kōchō ...Template:Fact
1264 文永 Bun'ei ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Uda, 1274–1287.[1]
1275 建治 Kenji ...Template:Fact
1278 弘安 Kōan ...Template:Fact Emperor Fushimi, 1287–1298.[1]
1288 正応 Shōō ...Template:Fact
1293 永仁 Einin ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Fushimi, 1298–1301.[1]
1299 正安 Shōan ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Nijō, 1301–1308.[1]
1302 乾元 Kengen ...Template:Fact
1303 嘉元 Kagen ...Template:Fact
1306 徳治 Tokuji ...Template:Fact
1308 延慶 Enkyō ...Template:Fact also Engyō or Enkei; Emperor Hanazono, 1308–1318.[1]
1311 応長 Ōchō ...Template:Fact
1312 正和 Shōwa ...Template:Fact
1317 文保 Bunpō ...Template:Fact also Bunhō; Emperor Go-Daigo, 1318–1339.[1]
1319 元応 Gen'ō ...Template:Fact also Gennō
1321 元亨 Genkō ...Template:Fact
1324 正中 Shōchū ...Template:Fact
1326 嘉暦 Karyaku ...Template:Fact
1329 元徳 Gentoku ...Template:Fact
1331 元弘 Genkō ...Template:Fact
1334 建武 Kenmu ...Template:Fact also Kenbu
Nanboku-chō period (1334–1392)
*Nanboku-chō Southern Court
1336 延元 Engen ...Template:Fact
1340 興国 Kōkoku ...Template:Fact
1346 正平 Shōhei ...Template:Fact
1370 建徳 Kentoku ...Template:Fact
1372 文中 Bunchū ...Template:Fact
1375 天授 Tenju ...Template:Fact
1381 弘和 Kōwa ...Template:Fact
1384 元中 Genchū ...Template:Fact Genchū 9 becomes Meitoku 3 in post Nanboku-chō reunification
*Nanboku-chō Northern Court
1332 正慶 Shōkei ...Template:Fact also Shōkyō
1333 Northern court not in existence between 1333 and 1336; no era names apply from 1333 to 1338.
1338 暦応 Ryakuō ...Template:Fact also Rekiō
1342 康永 Kōei ...Template:Fact
1345 貞和 Jōwa ...Template:Fact also Teiwa
1350 観応 Kannō ...Template:Fact also Kan'ō
1352 文和 Bunna ...Template:Fact also Bunwa
1356 延文 Enbun ...Template:Fact
1361 康安 Kōan ...Template:Fact
1362 貞治 Jōji ...Template:Fact also Teiji
1368 応安 Ōan ...Template:Fact
1375 永和 Eiwa ...Template:Fact
1379 康暦 Kōryaku ...Template:Fact
1381 永徳 Eitoku ...Template:Fact
1384 至徳 Shitoku ...Template:Fact
1387 嘉慶 Kakei ...Template:Fact also Kakyō
1389 康応 Kōō ...Template:Fact
1390 明徳 Meitoku ...Template:Fact Meitoku 3 replaces Genchū 9 in post-Nanboku-chō reunification
Muromachi period (1392–1573)
1394 応永 Ōei ...Template:Fact Emperor Shōkō, 1412–1428. [1]
1428 正長 Shōchō ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Hanazono, 1428–1464.[1]
1429 永享 Eikyō ...Template:Fact also Eikō
1441 嘉吉 Kakitsu ...Template:Fact also Kakichi
1444 文安 Bun'an ...Template:Fact also Bunnan
1449 宝徳 Hōtoku ...Template:Fact
1452 享徳 Kyōtoku ...Template:Fact
1455 康正 Kōshō ...Template:Fact
1457 長禄 Chōroku ...Template:Fact
1460 寛正 Kanshō ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, 1464–1500.[1]
1466 文正 Bunshō ...Template:Fact also Monshō
1467 応仁 Ōnin ...Template:Fact
1469 文明 Bunmei ...Template:Fact
1487 長享 Chōkyō ...Template:Fact
1489 延徳 Entoku ...Template:Fact
1492 明応 Meiō ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Kashiwabara, 1500–1526.[1]
1501 文亀 Bunki ...Template:Fact
1504 永正 Eishō ...Template:Fact
1521 大永 Daiei ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Nara, 1526–1557.[1]
1528 享禄 Kyōroku "heaven's favor"
1532 天文 Tenbun ...Template:Fact also Tenmon
1555 弘治 Kōji ...Template:Fact Emperor Ōgimachi, 1557–1586.[1]
1558 永禄 Eiroku ...Template:Fact
1570 元亀 Genki ...Template:Fact
1573 天正 Tenshō ...Template:Fact Emperor Go-Yōzei, 1586–1611.[1]
1592 文禄 Bunroku ...Template:Fact
1596 慶長 Keichō ...Template:Fact also Kyōchō; Emperor Go-Mizunoo, 1611–1629.[1]
Edo period (1603–1867)
1615 元和 Genna "Commencement of Concord"[1] also Genwa
1624 寛永 Kan'ei ...Template:Fact Empress Meishō, 1629–1643;[1] Emperor Go-Kōmyō, 1643–1654.[1]
1644 正保 Shōhō ...Template:Fact
1648 慶安 Keian "Peaceful Gladness"[1] also Kyōan
1652 承応 Jōō "receiving answers" also Shōō; Emperor Go-Sai, 1655–1663.[1]
1655 明暦 Meireki ...Template:Fact also Myōryaku or Meiryaku
1658 万治 Manji ...Template:Fact
1661 寛文 Kanbun "generous art" Emperor Reigen, 1663–1687.[1]
1673 延宝 Enpō "prolonged wealth" also Enhō
1681 天和 Tenna "heavenly Imperial peace" also Tenwa
1684 貞享 Jōkyō ...Template:Fact Emperor Higashiyama, 1687–1709.[1]
1688 元禄 Genroku "original happiness"
1704 宝永 Hōei "prosperous eternity" Emperor Nakamikado, 1709–1735.[1]
1711 正徳 Shōtoku "righteous virtue"
1716 享保 Kyōhō "Receiving, Holding"[1] Emperor Sakuramachi, 1735–1747.[1]
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.[1]
1748 寛延 Kan'en "prolonging lenience"
1751 宝暦 Hōreki "valuable calendar" or "valuable almanac" also Hōryaku; Empress Go-Sakuramachi, 1762–1771.[1]
1764 明和 Meiwa "bright harmony" Emperor Go-Momozono, 1771–1779.[1]
1772 安永 An'ei "peaceful eternity" Emperor Kōkaku, 1780–1817.[1]
1781 天明 Tenmei "dawn" Template:Fact
1789 寛政 Kansei "tolerant" or "broad-minded government"}
1801 享和 Kyōwa ...Template:Fact
1804 文化 Bunka "culture" or "civilization" Emperor Ninkō, 1817–1846.[1]
1818 文政 Bunsei ...Template:Fact
1830 天保 Tenpō "heavenly Imperial protection"[1] also Tenhō
1844 弘化 Kōka "becoming wide or vast" Emperor Kōmei, 1846–1867.
1848 嘉永 Kaei "Celebration of Eternity"[1] "eternal felicity"[1]
1854 安政 Ansei "quiet peaceful government" "tranquil government"[1]
1860 万延 Man'en ...Template:Fact
1861 文久 Bunkyū "literate story"
1864 元治 Genji "original rule"
1865 慶応 Keiō "Joyous Concord"[1]
Modern Japan (1868–present)
1868 明治 Meiji "Enlightened Rule"[1] Emperor Meiji, 1868–1912. Also known as "Enlightened Government" or "Brilliant Rule"[1]
1912 大正 Taishō "great righteousness" Emperor Taishō, 1912–1926.
1926 昭和 Shōwa "Brilliant Harmony"[1] Emperor Shōwa, 1926–1989.
1989 平成 Heisei "Achieving Peace"[1] Akihito, 1989–present [the reigning emperor].

Non-nengō periods

The nengō system that was introduced by Emperor Kōtoku was abandoned after his death; no nengō were designated between 654 and 686. The system was briefly reinstated by Emperor Temmu in 686, but was again abandoned upon his death approximately two months later. In 701, Emperor Mommu once again reinstated the nengō system, and it has continued uninterrupted through today.

Although use of the Gregorian calendar for historical dates has become increasingly common in Japan, the traditional Japanese system demands that dates be written in reference to nengō. The apparent problem introduced by the lack of nengō for the two periods above is resolved by referencing years of imperial reign. This is the same approach used when referencing periods that predate the introduction of the nengō system.

Although in modern Japan posthumous imperial names correspond with the eras of their reign, this is a relatively recent concept, introduced in practice during the Meiji period and instituted by law in 1979. Therefore, the posthumous names of the emperors and empresses who reigned prior to 1868 may not be taken as era names by themselves. For example, the year 572—the year in which Emperor Bidatsu assumed the Chrysanthemum Throne — is properly written as "敏達天皇元年" (Bidatsu-Tennō Gannen, lit. "the first year of Emperor Bidatsu"), and not "敏達元年" (Bidatsu Gannen, lit. "the first year of Bidatsu"), although it may be abbreviated as such.[1] By incorporating both proper era names and posthumous imperial names in this manner, it is possible to extend the nengō system to cover all dates from 660 through today.[2]

The following is an example of such an extension of the nengō system to include the post-Taika years not covered by a proper era name:

  • Reign of Emperor Jimmu, 660-581 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Suizei, 581-548 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Annei, 548-510 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Itoku, 510-475 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Kōshō, 475-392 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Kōan, 392-290 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Kōrei, 290-214 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Kōgen, 214-157 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Kaika, 157-97 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Sujin, 97-29 BC
  • Reign of Emperor Suinin, 29 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
  • Reign of Emperor Jomei, 629-645
  • Taika era, 645-650
  • Hakuchi era, 650–654
  • Discontinuation of the nengō system, 654-686
  • Shuchō era, 686
  • Discontinuation of the nengō system, 686-701
  • Taihō era, 701-704

Imperial year

Kōki (皇紀), or Imperial year, is an epoch used before WW2. Kōki 1 is the year when legendary 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 the Anno Domini year (AD).

Kōki 2600 (1940) was a special year. 1940 Summer Olympics and Tokyo Expo were planned as anniversary events, but were canceled due to the Second Sino-Japanese War. Japanese aircraft Zero Fighter was named after this year.

After the Second World War, the United States occupied Japan, and stopped the use of Kōki by officials. Today, Kōki is rarely used, except on some judicial occasions.

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 Template:Nihongo, also known as Template:Nihongo or Template:Nihongo. 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 Template:Nihongo. 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 Template:Nihongo is normally said to refer to AD 650-654; a poetic synonym for the Hakuchi era. However, alternate interpretations exist. For example, in the Nichūreki, Hakuhō refers to AD 661-683, and in some middle-age temple documents, Hakuhō refers to AD 672-685. 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 Template:Nihongo (AD 591-621+), Template:Nihongo (686), Template:Nihongo (1489-1492), Template:Nihongo (1506-1507 or 1507-1508) and Template:Nihongo (1540-1543).

The most recent shinengō is Template:Nihongo (1904-1905), named for the Russo-Japanese war.

Kyūshū nengō

Edo period scholar Tsurumine Shikenobu proposed that Template:Nihongo, 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.

See also

Template:External Timeline

Notes

Template:Reflist

References

External links


Template:Japanese era name Template:Chronologyde:Liste der Nengō es:Era japonesa fr:Ères du Japon ko:일본의 연호 id:Nama zaman di Jepang ia:Era japonese it:Ere del Giappone nl:Japanse jaartelling ja:元号一覧 (日本) pl:Ery japońskie pt:Eras do Japão ru:Японское летоисчисление sl:Japonska leta po gregorijanskem koledarju su:Ngaran jaman Jepang fi:Japanilainen aikakausinimi sv:Japanska perioder uk:Японське традиційне літочислення vi:Niên hiệu Nhật Bản zh:日本年號索引

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