“ Be less curious about people, and more curious about ideas”

Marie Curie

The End of an Era

So as many people may not know, in Japan, they count the years according to how many years the emperor has been in office. since 1989, the era has been named 平成, or, Heisei. 2018 was the year Heisei 30. However, in recent days, the new era was announced! This is the first time in history the emperor stepped down instead of passing away and then a new emperor was announced. From here on out, the new era will be called 令和, or Reiwa. According to NHK, this is what the general meaning of Reiwa means.

“Approximate English translation:

The time is first spring, in a fair ("Rei") month,
When the air is clear and the wind a calm ("wa") breeze.
Plum flowers blossom a beauty's charming white
And the fragrance of the orchids is their sweet perfume.”

Also, another first is that typically, scholars choose the name based on old Chinese literature, however, this time around, it was chosen from old Japanese literature.

Here are the other candidates for the potential era names.

Eikō (英弘)

Kyūka (久化)

Kōshi (広至)

Banna (万和)

Bampō (万保)

Do you think they could have chosen a better era name?

I hope this era comprises of everything the scholars hoped for.

*to reiwa*

xoxo,e

Months

We learn something new everyday, right?

Today, I learned something interesting. Between the years 794- 1185, or the Heinan Period the names of the Japanese months were different than they are now. The months were named based on the lunar calendar. Here they are.

１月- 睦（むつき）Month of harmony

２月- 如月（きさらぎ）Month of wearing extra layers

３月- 弥生（やよい）Month of growth

４月-卯月（うずき）Month of Deutzia (uno hana)

５月-皐月（さつき）Month of playing rice sprouts

６月-水無が（みなずき）Month of no water

７月-文月（ふみずき）Month of literacy

８月-葉月（はずき）Month of leaves

９月-長月（ながつき）Autumn long month

１０月-神無月（かんあずき）Month of no Gods

１１月-霜月（しもつき）Month of frost

１２月-師走（しわす）Month of running priests

“Each old name has a meaning. 

If you know about the Japanese climate, you might wonder why minazuki (June) is the month of no water. June is rainy season (tsuyu) in Japan.

However, the old Japanese calendar was about a month behind the European calendar. It means minazuki was from July 7th to August 7th in the past.

It is believed that all the Gods from throughout the country gathered at Izumo Taisha (Izumo Shrine) in kannazuki (October), therefore there were no gods for other prefectures.

December is the busy month. Everyone, even the most respected priests run around  for preparation of the New Year. “

via thoughtco

Interesting isn’t it?

xoxo,e