Reiwa, Heisei and Shōwa: Meaning, Origin and History of Japan’s Eras

This post explains Japan’s imperial era (gengō) and also briefly describes the origins, meanings and zeitgeists of the latest eras ‘Reiwa’, ‘Heisei’ and ‘Shōwa’.

What’s 元号 (Gengō)?

Japan’s imperial era is called 元号 (gengō). It is used alongside the Western calendar in official documents such as drivers’ licenses and health insurance cards. Usually, the era ends upon the death of each emperor and followed by the enthronement of his successor, but the current era ‘令和’ has started following the abdication of Emperor Akihito. 

How the name of gengō is coined

Japan’s era name is determined after a great number of discussions among scholars, experts and cabinet members. There are also some rules about the name of Japan’s Era, which were designated in 1979 as follows.

1. It has a good and ideal meaning for the citizens
2. It is composed of two kanji characters
3. It is easy to write
4. It is easy to read
5. It has never been used as an Era name before
6. It is not generally used

令和 (reiwa): May 1st, 2019 – Current

令和 (Reiwa) is Japan’s current era that has just started on May 1, 2019, when Crown Prince Naruhito will become the new Emperor after Emperor Akihito abdicates on April 30. 令和 will be the 248th era in the history of Japan.

Origin and Meaning

It was announced that the new era name originated from the following passage in ‘万葉集’ (Manyoshu), the oldest existing collection of Japanese poetry.

「時、初春の令月にして、氣淑く風和ぎ、梅は鏡前の粉を披き、蘭は珮後の香を薫す。」

(translation) ‘It is the beginning of spring in the auspicious month, with the glorious weather and peaceful breeze. Plum blossoms are blooming white like beautiful women applying white powder in front of the mirror. The fragrance of orchids is wafting like that of clothes scented with incense.’

This work illustrates the scenery of beautiful plums blooming after a severe winter. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says that this name expresses the sense, “Culture is nurtured when people bring their hearts together in a beautiful way“. He has also mentioned that this name represents the hope that, just like a plum flower flourishes after the severely cold weather, every Japanese person will get their own “flower” to bloom vigorously and feel full of hope for the future.

For further details, see the following post:

• The Origin and Meaning of 令和 (reiwa): Japan’s New Era Starting on May 1st 2019

平成 (heisei) Era: Jan 8th, 1989 – Apr 30th, 2019

平成 (Heisei) is the Japanese imperial era that spanned about 30 years from January 8th, 1989 to April 30th, 2019.

Origin and Meaning

The name of ‘平成‘ reflects the wish for world peace. It was coined in reference to two Chinese phrases ‘内平外成’ meaning ‘peace inside and prosperity outside’ and ‘地平天成’ meaning ‘the peaceful and prosperous world’. The former appears in ‘書経’ (‘Shujing’,‘The Book of Documents’), and the latter in 史記 (‘Shiji’, ‘The Records of the Grand Historian’), both of which are ancient Chinese literature.

For further details, memories, and words and phrases that originated from Heisei, see the following post:

• Japan’s Imperial Era 平成 (Heisei) – Origin, Meaning and Memories

昭和 (Shōwa) Era: Dec 25th, 1926 – Jan 7th, 1989

昭和 (Shōwa) is the Japanese imperial era that spanned 62 years from December 25th, 1926 to January 7th, 1989.

Origin and Meaning

昭和 literally means ‘Bright Harmony’. It derived from the following line in one of ancient Chinese literature, ‘書経’ (The Book of Documents)

百姓昭明、協和万邦

(translation) “(Emperor Yao) made people all brightly intelligent. (He) united and harmonized the myriad states”

This name reflected a wish for the peace of the world. Ironically, however, this era saw Japan rather threatening world peace by its involvement in World War II.

For further details and words and phrases that originated from Shōwa, see the following post:

• Japan’s Imperial Era 昭和 (Shōwa) – Its Origin, Meaning and Derivative Expressions