This year is 2024. It is the year REIWA6（令和6年）.
I believe that the name of the Japanese era is a proof that Japan is an independent country. It is that important.
And “REIWA” means “beautiful harmony,” and I believe that the name of the new year was given in the hope that it will bring happiness and development to Japan. Whenever I write this character, I think of that, and I believe it is the same as writing “May the people of Japan be happy. So I usually try to use the character “REIWA” as much as possible. This is because it is the only way I can wish for happiness.
This is my opinion so far.
Overview
The Gengo (元号) in Japan is a uniquely Japanese calendar system that counts the years based on the reign of the emperor. The gengo system originated in ancient China and was officially adopted in Japan after the Taika Reform of 645. Starting with the Taika, the era number has been changed after historical events, the replacement of emperors, disasters, and other events. The Japanese era name system is based on the “one emperor per generation” system, known as issei ichigen no sei, but there have been exceptions to this system. Since the Meiji era (1868-1912), this system has been strictly applied and has continued to the present day.
Significance
Gengo has played an important role in Japanese politics, culture, and society. First, politically, it clearly marked the reign of the emperor and served as a means of expressing authority. The change of the era’s era symbolizes the beginning of a new era, and is also an important ceremony to inform the people that a new emperor’s reign is about to begin. In addition, the Gen number has been an important marker in recording history and has been widely used as a standard for identifying events and eras. Culturally, the Gen-no has become deeply rooted in people’s consciousness and daily lives, appearing frequently in literary and artistic works as a symbol of the era.
The current era’s era name, “Reiwa（令和）
The current era name, “Reiwa,” was established on May 1, 2019, with the accession to the throne of the new emperor, Emperor Naruhito. The current era name, “Reiwa,” is based on the Manyoshu, a collection of classical Japanese literature. The character “Reiwa” is a combination of “Rei令”, meaning “good” or “beautiful”, and “wa和”, meaning “harmony” or “peace”.
The name “Reiwa” is the first Gengo (Japanese era name) in Japan’s history to be adopted from a national book, a departure from the majority of previous Gengo’s, which were derived from Chinese classics. This choice is intended to emphasize values rooted in Japan’s traditional culture and the lives of its people, and to demonstrate Japan’s uniqueness in the international community.
Significance
The name of the new year, “Reiwa,” expresses the wish for harmony and peace among people in the new era, as well as the inheritance and development of a beautiful culture. At the time of the announcement of the new era’s name, the government officially explained that the meaning of the new era is that “culture is born and nurtured through the beautiful and harmonious interaction of people. This reflects the spirit of harmony and coexistence in Japanese society, which is still considered an important value today.
In addition, the Gengo, or the era name “Reiwa,” is widely recognized both in Japan and abroad as the dawn of a new era, and is familiar to many citizens of the country. The change of the Gen gen gen provides an opportunity to sense the arrival of a new era, bringing vitality and hope to society as a whole. This demonstrates the symbolic power of the Japanese era name system and its effect on enhancing the sense of unity among the people.
Conclusion
The Gengo system is an important institution deeply rooted in Japanese history, culture, and society, and its change marks the beginning of a new era. The current era name, “Reiwa,” is a fusion of Japanese tradition and modern values, symbolizing hope and harmony for the future. The Gen-go system will continue to be a part of Japan’s cultural identity in the future.
NOTE
AI’s answers are not necessarily correct. Please confirm any important information.
