"Kimigayo" is the national anthem of Japan. The lyrics are from a waka poem written by an unnamed author in the Heian period (794–1185), making the lyrics of "Kimigayo" the oldest lyrics of any national anthem. The current melody was chosen in 1880, replacing an unpopular melody composed by John William Fenton in 1869. While the title "Kimigayo" is usually translated as "His Majesty's Reign", no official translation of the title or lyrics have been established in law.