Changes

These pairs are normally read using the Japanese readings, as ''kinoe-ne'' for 甲子.  

These pairs are normally read using the Japanese readings, as ''kinoe-ne'' for 甲子.  

From the numbers of a given K(an) and S(hi) the P(osition) in the cycle can be computed as follows:  if K>=S:  P = (K-S)*10+K;    if S>K:  P = (12+K-S)*10+K.  So ''kanoto-u'' (8,4) is the 28th position, and ''hinoe-tatsu'' (3,5) is in the 53rd. One can also search in the table below.

From the numbers of a given K(an) and S(hi) the P(osition) in the cycle can be computed as follows:  if K>=S:  P = (K-S)*5+K;    if S>K:  P = (12+K-S)*5+K.  So ''kanoto-u'' (8,4) is the 28th position, and ''hinoe-tatsu'' (3,5) is in the 53rd. One can also search in the table below.

The cycle was used to indicate [[Japanese calendar|days]], and especially [[year dates]].  For example, 1504 was a ''kinoe-ne'' year.  Dating documents by cyclic years was very common, but dating documents by cyclic days was extremely rare in Japan from what I have seen. However, as the cycle repeats every 60 years (or days), the cyclic indication is not enough to determine a date; one has to have some other information.  To find the year associated with a ''kan-shi'', use the table below and add or subtract a multiple of sixty as needed, or use the method in the [[year dates]] article.

The cycle was used to indicate [[Japanese calendar|days]], and especially [[year dates]].  For example, 1504 was a ''kinoe-ne'' year.  Dating documents by cyclic years was very common, but dating documents by cyclic days was extremely rare in Japan from what I have seen. However, as the cycle repeats every 60 years (or days), the cyclic indication is not enough to determine a date; one has to have some other information.  To find the year associated with a ''kan-shi'', use the table below and add or subtract a multiple of sixty as needed, or use the method in the [[year dates]] article.