Ōwa facts for kids

The Ōwa (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) was a special time period in Japanese history. It was like a way of counting years, called a nengō (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). This era came after the Tentoku period and before the Kōhō period. It lasted from February 961 to July 964. During this time, Emperor Murakami was the ruler of Japan.

Key Events of the Ōwa Era

• 961 (the first year of Ōwa): Emperor Murakami moved into a brand new palace. His old palace had burned down in the year 960, so a new one was built for him.

• 962 (the second year of Ōwa): The Emperor sent special messengers, called deputies, to visit many important Shinto shrines. They went to places like Ise Shrine, Kamo Shrines, Matsunoo Shrine, Hirano Shrine, and Kasuga Shrine. These messengers made offerings at the shrines.

• 962 (the second year of Ōwa): A powerful leader named Fujiwara no Saneyori went to offer prayers at the Iwashimizu Shrine. Many other people from the important Fujiwara clan followed his example and visited the shrine too.

Related Pages

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