Japan’s new era name comes from ancient Japanese book 'Manyoshu'

Japan's new "gengo," or new era name, is "Reiwa," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga announced on Monday. The current Heisei era will cease to be used on April 30, following the abdication of Emperor Akihito, and the new name will officially start on May 1.

According to NHK, Japan's new era name "Reiwa" comes from the ancient Japanese book "Manyoshu," and literally means good and peaceful.

The "Manyoshu" or "Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves"' is an anthology of poems from ancient Japan's Nara Period (710-794 AD) and many earlier works. The "Manyoshu" is identified as the earliest collection of poems in Japan. The poems collected come from the 4th century to the middle of the 8th century. There have been various opinions over the date of the works, but most of them are believed to be around the Nara period.

It is generally believed that the "Manyoshu" has been edited and inherited by many people for many years. Meanwhile, scholars consider the "Manyoshu" to have been compiled by the poet Otomo no Yakamochi (718-785 AD) in the second half of the 8th century.

The Yomiuri Shimbun had previously reported that Japan's new era name might be selected from ancient Japanese books. The list of candidates the government has received is said to include a scheme based on ancient Japanese texts, which are often traced back to China.

"There are also many works written by ancient Chinese in ancient Japanese classics, whose roots all come from ancient Chinese classics," reported Kyodo News quoting Japanese researchers.

So far, most of Japan's era names have come from Chinese classics, according to Sina News. Of the 248 era names in Japan, 35 are from the "Book of Documents" or "Shangshu." There are 27 from the "Book of Changes" or "Yi Jing," such as the name "Heisei," which was taken from two Chinese history and philosophy books, "Records of the Grand Historian" and the "Book of Documents."

(CGTN)