Japanese calendar systems and their influence on the omens and traditions of the people

Vorkina K., Kodama N., Sarkisova D.

The article discusses main calendar systems that have been used in Japan for centuries: wareki (from the founding of the state), gengō (from the motto of the reigning emperor), seireki (Gregorian calendar). Much attention is paid to the sexagenary cycle of jukkan-junishi, which came to Japan from China and had a great influence on the traditional views of the Japanese. The authors also dwell on the Japanese weekly cycles shichi-yō and roku-yō used in Japan and consider the omens and customs associated with them.

Keywords:wareki, seireki, kōki, gengō, nengō, go-gyō, jukkan-junishi, shichi-yō, roku-yō, calendar systems, calendars, Japan, week, sexagenary cycle, omens, traditions