Eiryaku facts for kids

Eiryaku (永暦) was a special way to count years in Japan, like how we use "AD" or "CE." It's called a nengō (年号, (lit. "year name")). The Eiryaku period came after the Heiji era and before the Ōhō era.

This short period lasted from January 1160 to September 1161. During this time, the emperor of Japan was Nijō-tennō (二条天皇).

What Happened During the Eiryaku Era?

Major Events in 1160

• 1160 (Eiryaku 1): A powerful leader named Minamoto no Yoshitomo (who lived from 1123 to 1180) was killed. He was trying to challenge the power of another very strong leader, Taira no Kiyomori. Taira no Kiyomori was like a chief minister or a top advisor to the emperor.

• After Minamoto no Yoshitomo's death, his wife, Tokiwa Gozen, had to quickly leave the capital city, Heian-kyō (which is now called Kyoto). She fled with her three young sons to keep them safe. This event was part of a big power struggle between two important families, the Minamoto and the Taira.

Events in 1161

• 1161 (Eiryaku 2): Emperor Nijō got married. He married the widow of the previous emperor, Emperor Konoe.

Japanese Era Calendar

This table shows how the Eiryaku era years match up with our modern calendar:

Timeline of Japanese Eras

The Eiryaku era was a short but important time in Japanese history. It was part of a longer period called the Heian period.

More Information

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