Year Of The Rooster

New Year's celebrations for Heisei 17, Year of the Rooster

Friday May 27, 2005

Before the 1873 introduction of the Gregorian calendar, lunar calendars, which were originally imported from China, were used in Japan for many centuries. Various features of the lunar calendar remain intact in today's Japan, especially the association of years with the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac: mouse, cow, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, pig.

Another aspect of the traditional calendar that is still in effect in Japan is the numbering of years based on how long the current emperor has been reigning. The era of each emperor's reign is also given a name, which it is hoped will epitomise the spirit of the era. Heisei (achieving peace) is the name of Emperor Akihito's reign. 2005 is the 17th year of reign of Emperor Akihito, and the year is referred to as Heisei 17. Upon his death, Heisei will become the Emperor's name, and he will historically be referred to as Emperor Heisei.

New Year's is celebrated January 1, as in the Gregorian calendar, although Heisei years begin on January 7 (the date of death of the previous emperor), and the Chinese year of the rooster began February 9.

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