This creative depiction of Japan’s new era will play tricks on your mind and your eyes.
Japan has been abuzz with the recent news of the naming of Japan’s upcoming era, Reiwa. We’ve known about the Emperor Hirohito’s abdication for a while now, but we didn’t know until the start of this month that that the following reign would be called Reiwa, or “beautiful harmony,” according to the government’s official English translation.
People have been commemorating the announcement with everything from calligraphy to making anime characters based off the new name. Twitter user @tdaiki1216, meanwhile, chose to create a piece of wire art that acts as a 3-D representation of the passage of time.
祝! 新元号「令和」
— 蔦本大樹/Tsutamoto Daiki (@tdaiki1216) April 1, 2019
カッコいい!#令和 pic.twitter.com/83EMU1Yhhs
The first few seconds of the video show a piece of wire art that reads “Heisei” (平成), or the name of Japan’s current era. However, when the wire art is rotated to a certain angle, it reveals itself to also be a perfect replica of the kanji characters for “Reiwa” (令和).
Twitter users were impressed with its timeliness just as much as its impact, seeing as the video was posted just hours after the official announcement.
“Wow!! You made this in such a short amount of time?”
“I’m shaking…I’m shaking!”
“The ages turn.”
“Crafts like this can be so cool!”
@tdaiki1216 followed up on his original Tweet with an additional comment about wire art a few days later.
沢山のリツイート、いいねありがとうございます!
— 蔦本大樹/Tsutamoto Daiki (@tdaiki1216) April 4, 2019
針金は本作のようなトリックアートだけでなく、使い方次第で多種多様な表現ができるとてもおもしろい素材なので、この「令和」をきっかけに少しでも興味を持っていただけると幸いです。
“Thank you for so many retweets! Wire can be used not only as trick art like I did here; it has a lot of different uses and expressions depending on how you use it, making it a very versatile material! I hope some of you become interested in wire art after seeing this Reiwa piece.”
We’re excited to see how else Reiwa will be celebrated while enjoying our commemorative gold-leaf seasoned potato chips.
Source: Twitter/@tdaiki1216 via Japaaan
Featured image: Twitter/@tdaiki1216
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Four new era names the Japanese government rejected before deciding on Reiwa
Japan announces new era name, Reiwa, but what does it mean and why was it chosen?
How do you say “Happy New Era” in Japanese?
Twitter users say Japanese Prime Minister’s name is hiding in the kanji for Japan’s new era name
End of the Heisei Era: Japanese government to announce new era name on 1 April
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Tokyo’s first gourmet choco banana specialty shop is worth stopping in Harajuku for
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
All-you-can-eat lunch buffet for just 850 yen right next to Shinjuku Station
Japanese military called in to deal with increasing bear attacks in rural prefectures
Is Kyoto’s raindrop cake as good as the original from Yamanashi?
Häagen-Dazs Japan turns 30, celebrates with commemorative rose and sakura ice cream
This beautiful Nara inn was once home to a Living National Treasure
Better know a train nerd: 36 different classifications for Japan’s “densha otaku”
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Top Japanese baby names for 2025 feature flowers, colors, and a first-time-ever favorite for girls
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japanese hotel chain’s new service: A bed and pajamas for otaku travelers’ plushies
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Leave a Reply