An'ei facts for kids

The An'ei (安永) period was a special time in Japanese history. It was a Japanese era name, called a nengō (年号), that came after the Meiwa era and before the Tenmei era. This period started in November 1772 and ended in March 1781. During this time, the emperors of Japan were Emperor Go-Momozono and Emperor Kōkaku.

The name An'ei means "Eternal Tranquility" or "Peaceful and Long."

Important Events During the An'ei Era

The volcano of Sakurajima erupted in the 7th year of An'ei

• 1774 (An'ei 3): An important medical book called Kaitai shinsho was published. This was the first full Japanese translation of a Western medical book. It was created by Sugita Gempaku and Maeno Ryotaku.
• 1775 (An'ei 4): Many people in Japan became sick from epidemic diseases. About 190,000 people died in the city of Edo (which is now Tokyo).
• 1775 (An'ei 4): Carl Peter Thunberg, a Swedish scientist, arrived at the Dutch East India Company's trading post in Nagasaki.
• 1778 (An'ei 7): The city of Kyoto experienced severe flooding.
• 1778 (An'ei 7): The volcanic island of Sakurajima erupted near Kagoshima. This powerful eruption sadly killed 16,000 people.
• June 12, 1779 (An'ei 8): The former Emperor Go-Momozono passed away.
• 1779 (An'ei 8): Isaac Titsingh, a Dutch surgeon and scholar, arrived at Dejima, a small artificial island in Nagasaki Bay used for trade.
• 1780 (An'ei 9): After Emperor Go-Momozono's death, Emperor Kōkaku became the new ruler of Japan. His role as monarch was confirmed through special ceremonies.
• 1780 (An'ei 9): The Kantō region of Japan had very heavy rains and widespread flooding.

Related pages

• Edo period

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" – historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection
• National Archives of Japan: Hinozenshu sanbutsu zuko, scroll showing illustrated inventory of industries in Hizen, An'ei 2 (1773)