Modern era to welcome the new era I would like to introduce the origins of the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, and Heisei eras.
What was the meaning of the era that colored that era?
Meiji
Start of "Issei Ichigen System"!
The Meiji era lasted 45 years from 1868 to 1912. (Until July 30, 1890)
From this era, "one reign, one world" Will be established, and a system will be started in which the era name will not be changed during the reign of the emperor.
Previously, not only did the emperor change, but "appearance of auspicious signs" "Ominous due to natural disaster" The era was changed in just a few years. There were months.
Revised in the turmoil of the end of the Edo period!
The world of samurai, which lasted 700 years from the Kamakura Shogunate, has come to an end, and a new national system centered on the emperor has been built.
Renamed Edo to Tokyo, the capital to Tokyo Kuto In this era, things that are now commonplace, such as the clan changing to a prefecture, were changed.
However, around this time, the new government army vs. the old shogunate army " Boshin " The "war" intensified the war from Kyoto to Hokkaido, and even when it ended, dissatisfaction with the new Meiji government by former samurai exploded and rebellions occurred in various parts of Japan.
There is always frustration in doing new things.
It can be said that the Meiji era was an era when Japan was about to be reborn.
Decided to be "Meiji" by lottery ⁉︎
Ancient Chinese book " I Ching 』
"Saint South Face, Hearing World, Meiji"
"If you stay with your face facing south like the North Star, the world will heal in a brighter direction."
It means that.
The emperor was selected by lot from several candidates, but "What? By lot?" I think, but this is a destiny.
It seems that there were candidates for "Meiji" about 10 times when the era was changed before the Meiji era, and maybe "Meiji" was born in the era of samurai instead of the modern era.
Taisho
The Taisho era lasted 15 years from 1912 to 1926. (Until December 25, 1918)
It will be the shortest era in Japanese history.
It's a short time, but it's also a turbulent time!
The most famous word in the Taisho era is "Taisho democracy" Probably.
We should criticize the dictatorial politics of some biased people such as the Satsuma Domain (currently Kagoshima) and Choshu Domain (currently Yamaguchi) who created the Meiji era, keep the constitution, and carry out politics according to the intentions of the people. The movement.
Furthermore, Taisho 3 , The first "World War I" of all humankind Has occurred, and Japan, which had formed an alliance with Britain, will also participate in the war.
Although mainland Japan was not damaged, many people were killed in action in Europe.
"Great Kanto Earthquake" It was during this period that September 1, 1918 , The M7.9 earthquake caused enormous damage to the Kanto region centered on Tokyo.
The reason why "Disaster Prevention Day" was set on September 1st is that the impact of this earthquake was great.
There are 5 candidates other than "Taisho"!
The origin of "Taisho" is from "I Ching" which is the same as "Meiji".
"Otomo Masaru, Amano Michiya"
"If the politician can listen to the opinions of the people, that is the right path."
means.
It seems to be the era name of Taisho Democracy itself.
There were other era proposals, which were "Tenko," "Xinghua," "Eiyasu," "Inui," and "Akitoku."
I feel like it's a little ancient ...
Showa
Showa lasted 64 years from 1926 to 1989. (Until January 7, 1988)
Emperor Taisho died on December 25, 1945, and since there were only 7 days in the first year of the Showa era, and since 1988 was also until January 7, 1987 and 14 It was a day.
However, this is the longest-lasting era in Japanese history, including foreign eras. was.
Speaking of "Showa", the outbreak of "WWII"!
1939 (Showa 14) , Germany invades Poland, while Britain and France declare war on Germany "WWII" Starts.
It was literally the greatest world war in human history, fought between the countries of the Tripartite Pact of Japan, Germany and Italy, centered on Germany, Japan and Italy, and the Allied forces such as the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States.
August 1945 , Japanese surrender World War II, which lasted for six years, came to an end.
"Showa" has the same origin as "Meiwa" in the Edo period!
The origin of "Showa" is the ancient Chinese history book " Shokyo ". From
"Akiaki Peasant, Mangoku Kyowa"
"Peace of the people and coexistence and prosperity with the world"
The wish is put.
It makes me sad that World War II happened in this era.
By the way, the era name "Meiwa" in the Edo period in 1764 was given the same meaning as "Showa".
Heisei
Determined in 20 minutes?
The meeting about the era was 20 minutes in a hurry. It is said that it was decided by the degree.
Of course, under the surface of the water, we have narrowed down to the three proposals of "Heisei", "Shubun", and "Correcting", and when the past modern eras are arranged in the initials of the alphabet, "M, T, S," After that, H is good. " It is said that the opinion was agreed at the all-ministerial meeting held after that, and it was decided to be "Heisei".
Did the "Heisei" plan exist at the end of the Edo period?
The origin of Heisei is " History " From the history books of "Shokei" and "Shokei",
"Uchihira Gaisei" "Horizon Tensei"
"Peace is achieved both inside and outside the country"
means.
It is said that "Heisei" existed as an alternative plan that was changed to "Keio" at the end of the Edo period.
It seems to be an ancient practice to refer to Chinese classics when assigning an era.
When you know the origin of the era name, you will feel that you can see the situation and wishes of that era, and you will be immersed in it.