Era name
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An era name was assigned as the name of each year by the leader (emperor or king) of the East Asian countries of China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam during some portion of their history. The people of the country referred to that year by that name. Era names were used for over two millennia by Chinese emperors and are still used by Japanese emperors. It could last from one year to the length of the leader's reign. If it lasted more than one year, numbers were appended to the era name. If it lasted the entire length of the leader's reign, then that leader is often referred to by that name posthumously. However, the leader was often given a more complex formal posthumous name as well. It should not be confused with a temple name, by which many leaders are known. The Republic of China era can be construed to be an era name, albeit one without an emperor.
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[edit] Chinese
The Chinese eras or Nian Hao were used sporadically from 156 BC and continuously from 140 BC. Until 1367 several were used during each emperor's reign. From 1368 until 1912 only one era name was used by each emperor, who was posthumously known by his era name.
[edit] Korean
Korean eras were used from 536 to 963 and from 1894 to 1910. At least from 1894 to 1897, years were also numbered from the founding of the Joseon Dynasty in 1393, hence with years numbered 5nn. From 1952 until 1961 years were numbered via Dangi years, where 2333 BC was regarded as the first such year.
[edit] Japanese
The official Japanese system or Nengo numbers years from the accession of the current emperor, regarding the calendar year during which the accession occurred as the first year. The current emperor Akihito succeeded to the throne in 1989, and the new era name Heisei was decreed by the Cabinet. Thus that year corresponds to Heisei 1 (平成元年 Heisei gannen?, or "first year"). The system was in use sporadically from 645 and continuously from 701. Until 1867 several were used during each emperor's reign. From 1868 only one era name has been used by each emperor. Since 1868, each emperor has been known posthumously by his era name.
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