Shōwa (昭和) was the era before Heisei (平成). It started on Dec 25th, 1926, following the death of the Emperor Taisho. You can read more on Wikipedia or keep browsing on this site with the following links.
| Year | Local Year | Age | Sexagenary Cycle | Chinese Zodiac |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Shōwa 43 | 56 | saru | Monkey |
| 1969 | Shōwa 44 | 55 | tori | Rooster |
| 1970 | Shōwa 45 | 54 | inu | Dog |
| 1971 | Shōwa 46 | 53 | i | Pig |
| 1972 | Shōwa 47 | 52 | ne | Rat |