この新しい元号も、広く国民に受け入れられ、日本人の生活の中に深く根ざしていくことを心から願っております。 https://t.co/WkBAnZPeYj
— 安倍晋三 (@AbeShinzo) 2019年4月1日
New era title, “Reiwa”(令和) was announced in the mornings at the prime minister’s office of Japan. “Reiwa” is expected to become 248th era title counting from first Japan’s era title, “Taika”(大化) named in 645 A.D. The first year of “Reiwa” is expected to start from the upcoming May this year.
This era title’s Quotation is from “Manyoushuu”(万葉集), which is one of the oldest collection of Japanese poetry. It was quoted from the 32nd poem, “flower of Ume (Japanese plum)”.
Prime Minister Abe said ” Manyoushu is Japanese national literature that symbolizes rich nation’s culture and Japanese long history”, and explained, “it contains a meaning that culture is blessed and cultivated while people open their hearts to each other beautifully.”
Since the era title “Taika” in 645, all the era titles, whose quotations have become clear, originates from ancient Chinese classics and many of them come from the four books and Five Classics of Confucianism, “Sìshū Wǔjīng”(四書五経), which are the authoritative books of Confucianism in China written before 300 BC. This time, the government quoted from Japanese original literature, defying convention.
Changing the era title arose from the decision of the enthronement of the prince, “Naruhito”(徳仁), to the emperor, and abdication of the present emperor, “Akihito”(明仁), to the Emperor Emeritus.
This happening is the first-ever since the Japanese constitution was established after WWⅡ.
Quotation part, preface of the 32nd poem, “flower of Ume (Japanese plum) in Manyoshu
于時、初春令月、氣淑風和、梅披鏡前之粉、蘭薫珮後之香。
Referred from Manyoshu Nnyumon
In the early spring, “Reigetsu”, a good month to celebrate, the air is clear and the wind blows peacefully. Ume (Japanese plum) flower is flourished as if it were a beautiful lady putting white powder on her face in front of a mirror. Orchid flower is flourished as if it were a beautiful cloth embracing a beautiful lady.
Mint Bureau plans to make a newly designed coin engraved with the new era title, “Reiwa”
The Mint Bureau is planning to make a newly designed coin after this summer. According to the Mint Bureau, it will take over 2 months to create a mold engraving letters and patterns into a coin. It prioritizes creating molds for 500 yen coin and 100 yen coin, which are issued the most in Japan. All new designed 6 types of coins are expected to be issued in this October.