Kōka

History of Japan
Shōsōin
Periods Paleolithic before 14,000 BC Jōmon 14,000 – 300 BC Yayoi 300 BC – 250 AD Kofun 250–538 Asuka 538–710 Nara 710–794 Heian 794–1185 Kamakura 1185–1333 Kenmu Restoration 1333–1336 Muromachi (Ashikaga) Nanboku-chō Sengoku 1336–1573 Azuchi–Momoyama Nanban trade 1573–1603 Edo (Tokugawa) Sakoku Convention of Kanagawa Bakumatsu 1603–1868 Meiji Restoration 1868–1912 Taishō World War I 1912–1926 Shōwa Financial crisis Militarism Pacific War (World War II) Occupation Post-occupation Bubble Economy 1926–1989 Heisei Lost Decade 1989–present
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Glossary Timeline

Kōka (弘化) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, literally "year name") after Tenpō and before Kaei. This period spanned the years from December 1844 through February 1848.^[1] The reigning emperors were Ninkō-tennō (仁孝天皇) and Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).

Change of era

• December 2, 1844 (Kōka gannen (弘化元年)): The new era name of Kōka, meaning "Becoming Wide or Vast", was created to mark a fire at Edo Castle in Tenpō 15.

The nengo was not changed concurrent with the accession of Emperor Komei; instead, the Kōka era was retained until about a year after the new emperor was enthroned.^[2]

Events of the Kōka era

• 1847 (Kōka 4): A major earthquake was recorded.
• 1848 (Kōka 5): The last subscription noh of the premodern era.^[3]

During these years, Hiroshige began making a series of prints showing beautiful women in contexts of famous places.^[4]

Notes

References

• Keene, Donald. (2005). Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his world, 1852-1912. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231123419; OCLC 57750432
• Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 48943301

External links

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection