Ansei facts for kids

The Ansei (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) was a special period in Japanese history, like an era or age. It came after the Kaei era and before the Man'en era. This period lasted from November 1854 to March 1860. During this time, Emperor Kōmei was the ruler of Japan.

The name Ansei (年号, ([nengō] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help))) means "tranquil government". However, this era was actually a time of many big changes and challenges for Japan!

Important Events of the Ansei Era

A silver coin made during the Ansei era.

• 1854 (Ansei 1): A very strong earthquake, called the Ansei-Tōkai Earthquake, hit Japan on December 23. It was a huge earthquake, measuring 8.4 in strength. The shaking was felt from Suruga Bay all the way to Edo (which is now Tokyo), destroying many houses. A giant tsunami (a huge ocean wave) also hit the coast, causing damage from Chiba Prefecture to Kōchi Prefecture.

• 1854 (Ansei 1): Just one day later, on December 24, another powerful earthquake, the Ansei-Nankai Earthquake, struck. It was also 8.4 in strength. This quake caused even more damage, and sadly, over 10,000 people lost their lives from the Tōkai region down to Kyushu.

• 1855 (Ansei 2): The Imperial Palace, where the Emperor lived, had been destroyed by a fire in 1854. But it was rebuilt very quickly, in just nine months!

• 1855 (Ansei 2): The Emperor moved back into the newly rebuilt palace in Kyoto with a grand procession.

• November 11, 1855 (Ansei 2): Another major earthquake, known as the Great Ansei Earthquake, hit Edo. It was a 6.9 magnitude earthquake.

• November 15, 1857 (Ansei 4): The Nagasaki Medical School was opened. This was an important step for modern medicine in Japan. Dr. Pompe van Meerdevoort gave the first official public lecture there.

• 1858-1860 (Ansei 4-Ansei 6): A serious illness called Cholera spread through Edo. It was a very difficult time, and between 100,000 and 200,000 people died.

• 1858 (Ansei 5): Keio University, one of Japan's oldest and most famous universities, was founded during this year.

• July 29, 1859 (Ansei 5): A very important agreement, the Treaty of Amity and Commerce, was signed between Japan and the United States. This treaty, also known as the "Harris Treaty," was signed by a powerful Japanese official named Ii Naosuke.

• 1858 (Ansei 5): The Ansei Purge began. This was a time when Ii Naosuke removed many people from government positions who disagreed with his policies, especially those who opposed opening Japan to foreign countries.

• March 24, 1860 (Ansei 7): Ii Naosuke was assassinated in an event known as the "Sakurada-mon Incident." This was a very shocking event that showed the deep disagreements within Japan at the time.

See also

• Edo period

In Spanish: Ansei para niños