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