Bunchū facts for kids
Bunchū (文中) was a special time period in Japanese history. It was an 'era name' or nengō, used by the Southern Court during a time called the Nanboku-chō period. This was a time when Japan had two different emperors, one in the south and one in the north.
The Bunchū era started in October 1372 and ended in May 1375. During this time, the emperor of the Southern Court, who lived in Yoshino, was Emperor Chōkei (長慶天皇, Chōkei-tennō). In Kyoto, the Northern Court had its own emperor, Emperor Go-En'yū (後円融天皇, Go-En'yū-tennō).
Contents
What Happened During the Bunchū Era?
Important Events (1372-1375)
- 1373–1406 (Bunchū 2–Ōei 13): During this long period, Japan and China sent people to visit each other. These visits were called embassies. They helped the two countries communicate and trade.
- 1374 (Bunchū 3): In this year, Emperor Go-En'yū became the main leader of the Northern Court.
Understanding Japanese Era Names
What is a Nengō?
A nengō is a Japanese era name. It's like a special name for a period of years. For example, instead of saying "the years 1372 to 1375," people would say "the Bunchū era." This system helped people keep track of time and important events.
Northern Court's Era Name
While the Southern Court used the Bunchū era name, the Northern Court used its own system. Their era name during this time was Ōan, which lasted from 1368 to 1375. This shows how the two courts had different ways of doing things.
Related Pages
More Information
- National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection
