The meaning of ReiWa [令和] – New era of Japan

On April first (It’s not a lie), which marks a new fiscal year in Japan, the name of the country’s new era was announced as Reiwa [令和]. In this article, we will understand the true meaning of Reiwa and why this name was chosen.

Japan always changes eras when a new emperor ascends, but this time the Emperor requested abdication from the throne and the ascension of Crown Prince Naruhito will begin on May first, 2019, marking the start of the New Era.

The Emperor of Japan, Akihito, was the first to abdicate the throne in the last 200 years, with his departure set for April 30th. Although the fiscal year begins on April first, I thought it was a terrible day to make this announcement.

The era that bore the name of Akihito is called Heisei [平成], which began on January 8, 1989, and ended on April 30, 2019, totaling a period of about 30 to 31 years.

In total, Japan has had nearly 250 eras, which is actually a number greater than the number of emperors. These eras are called gengo [元号].

The meaning of Reiwa [令和]

According to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the word Reiwa [令和] suggests that culture is born and nurtured when people “care beautifully for one another.”

The word Reiwa [令和] is composed of the ideograms:

• [令] which means command, order, decree, ancient laws, good fortune, command, and decree;
• [和] which means harmony, Japanese style, peace, Japan;

In summary, we can understand the two ideograms as order and command and peace and harmony. The ideograms are selected from ancient Chinese texts, but this time it was taken from a collection of classical Japanese poetry called Manyoshu.

Manyoshu [万葉集] – Collection of the ten thousand leaves, an ancient collection of Japanese poems compiled around 759 during the Nara period. At the end of the article, we will provide links to this book.

Shinzo Abe added that the poem, over 1200 years old, speaks of the ume [梅] plum blossoms that bloom fully, signaling the arrival of spring after surviving the intense cold of winter. He added that each person can hope for the future and make their own flowers bloom.

Original Poem: 「初春の令月にして、気淑く
く風和ぎ、梅は鏡前の粉を披き、蘭は珮後の香を薫らす」

Romanized Poem: Shoshun no reigetsu ni shite kyoku kuyawara gi kyouzen no konawohiraki ranwahaigo no kou wo kaorazu.

Experts say that the choice taken from a book of Japanese poetry created a milestone in Japan’s history. This was indeed the first time a name was taken from outside ancient Chinese books.

Reiwa also carries feelings such as hope, resilience, prosperity, peace, and unity. There is also a homonym of reiwa [例話] which means illustration and anecdote.

Does Reiwa remind of peace and harmony?

Unfortunately, the name peace, pronounced Heiwa [平和], could not be chosen as the name of the new era. There is a rule that the names of the eras cannot have the same initials, so names starting with H, M, T, and S were out of consideration.

Still, the name Reiwa [令和] was not chosen by chance; the goal was to remind of the word Heiwa [平和] which means peace. These similarities are not mere coincidence; the name of the new era may not contain the ideogram [平], but it ends with [和] which means harmony.

The previous era name Heisei [平成] reminded of the homonymous word [平静] which means calmness, serenity, and tranquility. Where [平] means peace or fullness and [成] means to transform, to become, to stay, to grow, to arrive, and to proceed.

Notice that if we combine the first ideogram [平] of the previous era and the second ideogram [和] of the new era, we will form the word Heiwa [平和] which means peace and harmony. Not to mention the Showa Era.

The names of previous Japanese eras were “Meiji” (enlightened government) of Emperor Mutsuhito; “Taisho” (great legitimacy) of Emperor Yoshihito and “Showa” (peace and harmony) from 1926.

How is the name of the new era Reiwa chosen?

The names of the eras in Japan need to be composed of two Chinese characters, easy to read and write. It is also recommended not to use a combination that has been used before or that is commonly used.

Currently, the name should align with the ideals of the nation; some academics and bureaucrats compile a list of suggestions, and the cabinet makes the final decision.

Nowadays, only about 34% of people use the gengo [元号] or the counting of eras in their daily lives. Japan is globalized, and many question the need to use the system of eras and periods.

What did people think of the name Reiwa? Most approved the choice, but some questioned the choice of the ideogram [令] which means order.

What did you think of the name of the new era Reiwa [令和]? If you liked this article, don’t forget to share it with friends and leave your comments.