Reiwa era

The Reiwa era (令和時代, Reiwa jidai) is the current era of Japan, beginning on May 1, 2019, the day Emperor Naruhito acceded to the throne. His father, Emperor Akihito, abdicated on April 30, 2019, marking the end of the Heisei era.

The name "Reiwa" is derived from a poem in the Man'yōshū, an eighth-century collection of Japanese poetry. Specifically, it is taken from a preface to a collection of poems about plum blossoms, which states, "It is the early spring season, and the weather is fine, and the wind is soft. Plum blossoms open like powder before the mirror. As a fragrant orchid adorns a fragrant perfume bag, I let the flowers, covered with frost, scatter in the branches and leaves, and I compose new poems."

The two kanji characters that make up Reiwa are:

• 令和 (Rei): This character has various meanings, including "auspicious," "good," "order," "command," and "respect." In the context of the era name, it is generally interpreted as signifying "beautiful harmony" or "good order."
• 令和 (Wa): This character signifies "peace," "harmony," and "Japan."

The Japanese government officially translated Reiwa as "beautiful harmony." The choice of Reiwa marks a significant shift, as it is the first Japanese era name derived from classical Japanese literature rather than classical Chinese texts. The era name is intended to represent hope for the future of Japan and its people, emphasizing peace, harmony, and prosperity.