Japanese & Western Calendars |
Japanese & Western Calendars |
Today, in Japan there are two systems of counting the years. The traditional Japanese years are based on the emperor. When a new emperor takes the role, a new era or period begins in Japan: The current Emperor has reigned for 12 years. He called his era 'Heisei.' So, this year (2000) is Heisei 12.
Up until the present:
| 縄文 Jomon
Period: ??? - 300 BC 弥生 Yayoi Period: 300 BC - 300 AD 古墳 Kofun Period: 300 AD -593 飛鳥 Asuka Period: 593 - 710 奈良 Nara Period: 710 - 794 平安 Heian Period: 794 - 1185 鎌倉 Kamakura Period: 1185 - 1333 |
室町 Muromachi
Period: 1333 - 1573 桃山 Momoyama Period: 1573 - 1603 江戸 Edo Period: 1603 - 1868 明治 Meiji Period: 1868 - 1912 大正 Taisho Period: 1912 - 1926 昭和 Showa Period: 1926 - 1989 平成 Heisei Period: 1989 - present |
The below shows a chart comparing Japanese and Western recent years.
Do you know your birthday by the Japanese calendar?
This year is heisei 12 (juu ni). The Heisei era started in 1989 and before that was the Showa era. I was born in 1973 so my birth year is showa 48!
| WESTERN YEAR | JAPANESE YEAR |
| 2000 | 平成 heisei 12 |
| 1999 | 11 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1995 | 7 |
| 1994 | 6 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1990 | 2 |
| 1989 | 昭和 showa 64 / 平成 heisei 1 |
| 1988 | 昭和 showa 63 |
| 1987 | 62 |
| 1986 | 61 |
| 1985 | 60 |
| 1980 | 55 |
| 1975 | 50 |
| 1970 | 昭和 showa 45 |
| 1960 | 昭和 showa 35 |
| 1950 | 昭和 showa 25 |
| 1940 | 昭和 showa 15 |
| 1930 | 昭和 showa 5 |
1920 |
大正 taisho 8 |
