It is believed that, in Kashiko Dokoro (Palace Sanctuary), Emperor Meiji drew for the new era name, one which was among some additional options that had been considered by officials such as Yoshinaga MATSUDAIRA of the Echizen clan.
越前藩松平慶永らが勘案した文面を籤としたものから、明治天皇自らが宮中賢所にて抽選したものだとされている。