What is the title of Japan’s national anthem?

Japan’s national anthem is titled “Kimigayo.”

The Japanese title is usually translated as “His Imperial Majesty’s Reign,” although translations vary because the lyrics use classical Japanese. The words come from a poem in the tenth-century anthology Kokin Wakashū, making them far older than the modern anthem arrangement.

The melody was composed in 1880 by Hiromori Hayashi, with musical assistance from German composer Franz Eckert. Kimigayo was formally designated Japan’s national anthem in 1999 under the Act on National Flag and Anthem.

A common mix-up is confusing Kimigayo with the Hinomaru, which is Japan’s national flag. Kimigayo is also notably brief: commonly performed versions last about a minute. Its lyrics mention a very long span of time, symbolized by small stones growing into large boulders covered with moss.