Overview
Reiki (霊亀, often translated literally as "spirit turtle") is a Japanese era name or nengō that was in use from September 715 through November 717. The era is recorded as following Wadō and preceding Yōrō. During Reiki the sovereign on the throne was Empress Genshō. For background on the nengō system itself, see era name (nengō).
Historical context
Reiki falls in the early decades of what historians call the Nara period, when the imperial court in Heijō-kyō (Nara) was consolidating central government institutions and legal codes. Although Reiki was brief, it sits between longer and better-known eras and helps mark continuity in court chronology during the early 8th century.
Characteristics and usage
Japanese era names were adopted for a variety of reasons—auspicious omens, natural disasters, political changes, or imperial successions—and functioned as the official method for dating documents and events. The Reiki era is notable for its short duration (just over two years), which is not uncommon in early medieval Japan when era names could change frequently.
Chronology
- Start: September 715 (first year of Reiki)
- End: November 717 (transition to Yōrō)
- Sovereign: Empress Genshō (元正天皇)
Significance and notable facts
Although the Reiki era itself is short and lacks many uniquely recorded events that bear its name, era labels like Reiki remain important for historians and archivists because they provide a fixed temporal framework for dating inscriptions, official records, and chronologies. The characters 霊亀 evoke traditional East Asian symbolism—turtles often represent longevity and good fortune—reflecting the aspirational or auspicious tone many era names sought to convey.
For further study, consult general references on the system of Japanese era names and the sequence of periods surrounding Reiki, including Wadō, Yōrō, and materials about the reign of Empress Genshō. See also the overview entry on nengō for discussion of naming conventions and their historical uses.