Era system
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Era System (年号 in Chinese or Japanese) is the dating system that is related to an Emperor's crowning. The system began in the Han Dynasty in 1 CE, but it was abolished by the People's Republic of China in 1949, when it adopted the more internationalized Common Era System. The only governments that use that system is Japan and the Republic of China.
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How it works
When an emperor ascends to the throne, he will adopted a throne name (for example, the throne name for Akihito, current Emperor of Japan, is Heisei). From the day that the new emperor ascends to the throne to the end of the calendar year, whether lunar or solar, will be considered the 1st year of his reign (--元年), even though the emperor's 1st year was not a complete year. The year of the emperor continues until a new emperor is crowned.
The Republic of China Era
The Republic of China (ROC) uses the era system even though the fact that it does not use a throne name. The Republic of China uses the name "Republic" (民國) for its officIal dating. The 1st year of the "Republic Era" is in 1912. Therefore, 2004 is "the 93rd year of the Republic Era" (民國93年).
Era System vs Common Era System
While that the era system is a more traditional system of dating that preserves Chinese and Japanese culture, it presents a problem for the more globalized Asian society and for everyday life, too.
For example, even though within the nation will know what era they are in, it is relatively meaningless for other nations. In addition, while the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of China only recognize documents dated in the Era System, their treaties with other countries are in the CE system.
In the domestic arena, the Era system presents difficult dilemmas, too. For example, in Japan, since it is only 16 years into the Heisei Era, it is difficult for other to tell the age of people that are born in the previous era. Also, since the ROC and Japan has adopted the Gregorian calendar, it is difficult to track down the February 29 leap year, more difficult than its internationalized counterparts.
Furthermore, with the exception of the ROC, it is difficult to mention future dates since it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the current emperor will live long enough for its citizens to use that era name.
On the other hand, other suggests that the CE system has too much religious connotations behind it and it is cultural imperialism that an European system is forced upon other civilizations. However, with globalization, there is a trend with Japan and the ROC being more acceptable to the CE system.
Era names
Qing Dynasty China
Shunzhi 順治 1644-1661
Kangxi 康熙 1662-1722
Yongzheng 雍正 1723-1735
Qianlong 乾隆 1736-1795
Jiaqing 嘉慶 1796-1820
Daoguang 道光 1821-1850
Hanfeng 咸豐 1851-1861
Tongzhi 同治 1862-1874
Guangxu 光緒 1875-1908
Xuantong 宣統 1909-1912
1776年 = 乾隆41年
1789年 = 乾隆54年
1800年 = 嘉慶5年
1842年 = 道光22年
1867年 = 同治6年
1900年 = 光緒26年
Modern Japan
Meiji 明治 1868-1912
Taisho 大正 1912-1926
Showa 昭和 1926-1989
Heisei 平成 1989-present
1900年 ＝ 明治23年
1945年 ＝ 昭和20年
- Note: When doing conversions, subtract the desired year from the year BEFORE the era started.