This is an amateur (practice) translation of an official communication from the office of the Japanese Prime Minister commenting upon the origin of the name of the new imperial era, “Reiwa.” The source text is given in 新しい元号「令和」について.
新しい元号「令和」について
Regarding the Name of the New Imperial Era, “Reiwa”
平成三十一年四月一日
Heisei Era, Thirty-First Year, Fourth Month, First Day
内閣総理大臣談話
Informal dialogue from the office of the Prime Minister
本日、元号を改める政令を閣議決定いたしました。
Today, a cabinet order was finalized, deciding upon the name of the new imperial era.
新しい元号は「令和」（れいわ）であります。
The name of the new imperial era is “Reiwa.”
これは、万葉集にある「初春（しょしゅん）の令月（れいげつ）にして 気（き）淑（よ）く風（かぜ）和（やわら）ぎ 梅（うめ）は鏡前（きょうぜん）の粉（こ）を披（ひら）き 蘭（らん）は珮後（はいご）の香（こう）を薫（かおら）す」との文言から引用したものであります。そして、この「令和」には、人々が美しく心を寄せ合う中で、文化が生まれ育つ、という意味が込められております。
This name is taken from a quote from the Man’yōshū, “In the auspicious months of early spring, the air is pleasant and the wind is gentle, plum blossoms unfold their beauty before a mirror, and the fragrance of orchids lingers in their wake.” The name “Reiwa” therefore refers to the birth and blossoming of culture from people’s beautiful hearts drawing closer to each other.
万葉集は、千二百年余り前に編纂された日本最古の歌集であるとともに、天皇や皇族、貴族だけでなく、防人や農民まで、幅広い階層の人々が詠んだ歌が収められ、我が国の豊かな国民文化と長い伝統を象徴する国書であります。
While the Man’yōshū is Japan’s oldest collection of poetry, having been compiled over one thousand and two hundred years ago, the poems contained within are not limited to those written by the emperor, imperial family, or nobles, but also include compositions from a broad range of people, including ordinary soldiers and farmers. It is a piece of national literature which represents the richness of the culture of the Japanese people and our long history of traditions.
悠久の歴史と薫り高き文化、四季折々の美しい自然。こうした日本の国柄を、しっかりと次の時代へと引き継いでいく。厳しい寒さの後に春の訪れを告げ、見事に咲き誇る梅の花のように、一人ひとりの日本人が、明日への希望とともに、それぞれの花を大きく咲かせることができる。そうした日本でありたい、との願いを込め、「令和」に決定いたしました。文化を育み、自然の美しさを愛でることができる平和の日々に、心からの感謝の念を抱きながら、希望に満ち溢れた新しい時代を、国民の皆様と共に切り拓いていく。新元号の決定にあたり、その決意を新たにしております。
A history that reaches back eternally, a graceful and refined culture, and bountiful nature which changes with each of the four seasons: we will resolutely pass down these elements of the national character of Japan to the next era. Much like the splendid blooming of the plum blossoms, which herald the coming of spring after the harsh chill of winter, every single Japanese person is capable of blossoming the flowers of their own lives while embracing their hopes and ambitions for the next day. The choice of the name “Reiwa” also encompasses an earnest desire for the existence of such a Japan. In the midst of peaceful days, where we nourish the growth of our culture and cherish the beauty of the nature that surrounds us, we will embrace the gratitude within our hearts and, together with all the people of the Japanese nation, together open up a new era brimming with hopes and ambitions. Upon the occasion of the finalization of the name of the new imperial era, we once again renew these resolutions for our future.
五月一日に皇太子殿下が御即位され、その日以降、この新しい元号が用いられることとなりますが、国民各位の御理解と御協力を賜りますようお願いいたします。政府としても、ほぼ二百年ぶりとなる、歴史的な皇位の継承が恙なく行われ、国民こぞって寿ぐことができるよう、その準備に万全を期してまいります。
On the first day of May, the Imperial Prince will ascend to the throne, and thereafter the name of the new imperial era will go into effect. We humbly ask for the understanding and cooperation of all the people of Japan. The government will carry out preparations of the utmost thoroughness to ensure the success of the great historic inheritance of the imperial throne, which has not happened in nearly two hundred years,1 such that the people of the nation may all celebrate together.
元号は、皇室の長い伝統と、国家の安泰と国民の幸福への深い願いとともに、千四百年近くにわたる我が国の歴史を紡いできました。日本人の心情に溶け込み、日本国民の精神的な一体感を支えるものともなっています。この新しい元号も、広く国民に受け入れられ、日本人の生活の中に深く根ざしていくことを心から願っております。
The name of the imperial era has been woven into the long history of our nation, which spans nearly one thousand and four hundred years, alongside the storied traditions of the imperial family and a deep wish for the safety of the Japanese nation and the prosperity of the Japanese people. It has become part of the Japanese soul and gives the Japanese people a sense of spiritual unity. From the bottom of our hearts, we hope that this name of the new imperial era, too, will be adopted by the citizens of our expansive nation and take root deep within the daily life of the Japanese people.
1 Although the previous imperial succession in Japan occurred in the 20th century, when Emperor Akihito ascended the throne in January 1989, following the death of his father Emperor Hirohito, this passage refers to the fact that the previous imperial succession that occurred without any disruption (i.e. as a result of orderly abdication, rather than through untimely death) was nearly two hundred years ago, in 1817, when Emperor Ninko succeeded Emperor Kōkaku.