Overview
| A graphical timeline is available at Timeline of Japanese era names |
The system on which the Japanese era names are based originated in China in 140 BC, and was adopted by Japan in AD 645, during the reign of Emperor Kōtoku.
The first era name to be assigned was "Taika" (大化?), celebrating the political and organizational changes which were to flow from the great Taika reform (大化の改新?). Although the regular practice of proclaiming successive era names was interrupted in the late seventh century, it was permanently re-adopted in 701 during the reign of Emperor Mommu (697–707). Since then, era names have been used continuously up through the present day.
Read more about this topic: Japanese Era Name