Heisei to Reiwa

Today (May 1, 2019) is a historic day of Japan. Reiwa era has begun!

The meaning of Reiwa

Each Japanese emperor's era is given a name which is called 元号【gengo】. The emperor's title is 今上天皇【konjyo-tenno】during his era. After his enthronement or abdication, his new title will be 上皇【joko】. The era name changes when the Emperor changes.

Usually Emperor of Japan is lifetime tenure. This is the reason why changing the era name is not only a celebration. There was a death behind the era name change. Though the Emperor Akihito case, he indicates his desire to abdicate on December 1, 2017. The emperor’s abdication was for the first time in 202 years. That is because Japanese are celebrating the change of era with the word「ありがとうございました」(thank you) to the Emperor Akihito.

Now we have a new Emperor, Emperor Naruhito. And the new era, Reiwa begun.

The meaning of Reiwa

令和【Reiwa】means Beautiful harmony. The word came from the old Japanese oldest anthology of poems called 万葉集【manyo-shu】from the 8th century.The word Reiwa came from preface to the poems read at plum flower viewing ceremony in 730.

Reiwa product?

Japanese are celebrating the change of era. Especially when the new era name Reiwa was announced on April 1, 2019, many companies tried to make the fastest product which has the word “Reiwa” in it. For example this is the first song by ゴールデンボンバー【golden bomber】which has the word Reiwa in it.