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calendar
In Japan there are different calendar systems and chronology eras: 1) according to the system, the beginning of which is the year based on the mythical founding of Japan by Emperor Jimmu; 2) according to Emperors’ years of reign (nengo) or their mottos; 3) according to the lunar-solar calendar; 4) according to the 60-year cycle; 5) since 1873 according to the Gregorian calendar.
Of highest popularity is the lunar-solar calendar also used in other countries of East Asia and adopted by the Japanese from the Chinese and Koreans. The 60-year calendar based on the astronomic cycle of Jupiter was also adopted from China. The years in the cycle are marked by combinations of two hieroglyphs – on from the 10 “heavenly stems” and another from the 12 “earthly branches”. The 10 heavenly stems are the 5 elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, water) each of which is divided into two (elder and younger) brothers. The 12 “earthly branches” are the 12 signs of the zodiac with names of animals: mouse (rat), bull (cow), tiger, hair, dragon, snake, horse, sheep (ram), monkey, hen (rooster), dog, pig (wild boar).
In the traditional economy most often the lunar year (ordinary, heinen) was used). It consisted of 12 months, 29-30 days in each and began in the first new moon period before the Sun enters the constellation of Pisces (February – beginning of March). Since the lunar year did not coincide with the solar one, once in three years an additional month appeared in the calendar. Each month was defined by ordinal numbers and names which correspond to the natural or agricultural cycles as well as rites and rituals of that month. Thus, the first month was called “the friendship month”, “the new month”, “the month of the first green”, “the year of new jasper”. The year was divided into 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) and into 24 seasons 15 days in each which did not always correspond to lunar months.
Each month and season had its own symbols: the blossoming plum, the tiger and the Adonis flower symbolized the beginning of spring; the blossoming sakura – the beginning of April, blossoming irises – the beginning of summer. All these smbols have become the basis of pattern motifs in the traditional Japanese culture.
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