Daniel Wald Zollman wrote:
>
> I have a couple questions about Japan history:
> In the chronology on the samurai archives (
> http://www.samurai-archives.com/chronol.html ) "The First Year of ___" is
> mentioned many times. What does this mean?
> A certain encyclopedia on japanese history said that Samurai emerged
> around the 10th century and became the ruling class around the 12th
> century. However, the chronology begins in 645. Does that begin before the
> samurai, or is the encyclopedia incorrect?
Nengo, or "era names" have been in use in Japan since the 7th century, when they
were introduced by the Court following the Chinese custom of era names. They
changed periodically due to some auspicious (or inauspicious) event. Since the
Meiji period in the 19th century, era names have coincided with the reigns of
emperors -- we are now in the Heisei era.
If you want to know more about the Japanese calendar and era reckoning, see my
calendar page on the Online Japanese Miscellany at
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/miscellany/index.html
Tony
--
Anthony J. Bryant
Website:
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com
Effingham's Heraldic Avatars (...and stuff):
http://www.sengokudaimyo.com/avatarbiz.html
Grand Cross, Order of the Laurel:
http://www.cafepress.com/laurelorder