Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

In 604 Japan adopted the Chinese calendar, <ref> E. Reishauer, et. al., ''East Asia: The Great Tradition'' (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958), p. 476. Before that it appears that some kind of lunar calendar generally following the Chinese seasons was used, as can be seen from dates of the Nihon-gi ([[Nihon Shoki]])(pp. 37-44 of ''[[Sources of Japanese Tradition]]''). However, apparently it did not use the Chinese calculations. </ref> This calendar, or a modification of it, was used by Japan until 1873, when it adopted the Gregorian (modern Western) calendar as the official calendar. <ref> A standard Japanese lunar calender is still published and can be found in almanac-calendars and daily newspapers. However, it is ignored by most people. It is similar, but not identical to the modern Chinese lunar calendar. </ref>  However, as  almost all source materials for events in Japan before 1873 use the Japanese calendar, as do Japanese historians, this Wiki uses the Japanese calendar in principle. (See [[SamuraiWiki:About dates]].)

In 604 Japan adopted the Chinese calendar, <ref> E. Reishauer, et. al., ''East Asia: The Great Tradition'' (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1958), p. 476. Before that it appears that some kind of lunar calendar generally following the Chinese seasons was used, as can be seen from dates such as "Summer, the 4th month," "Winter, the 11th month" of the Nihon-gi ([[Nihon Shoki]])(pp. 37-44 of ''[[Sources of Japanese Tradition]]''). However, apparently it did not use the Chinese calculations. </ref> This calendar, or a modification of it, was used by Japan until 1873, when it adopted the Gregorian (modern Western) calendar as the official calendar. <ref> A standard Japanese lunar calender is still published and can be found in almanac-calendars and daily newspapers. However, it is ignored by most people. It is similar, but not identical to the modern Chinese lunar calendar. </ref>  However, as  almost all source materials for events in Japan before 1873 use the Japanese calendar, as do Japanese historians, this Wiki uses the Japanese calendar in principle. (See [[SamuraiWiki:About dates]].)

Dates in Japanese are given as, for example, 10th month, 18th day (十月十八日). Though months do have names, in fact several names (though they are hardly ever used now), numbers are the principle month designations.

Dates in Japanese are given as, for example, 10th month, 18th day (十月十八日). Though months do have names, in fact several names (though they are hardly ever used now), numbers are the principle month designations.