Gen'ō facts for kids

Gen'ō (元応) was a special name for a period of time in Japanese history, like a mini-era. It came after the Bunpō era and before the Genkyō era. This period lasted from April 1319 to February 1321. The Emperor ruling during this time was Go-Daigo-tennō (Emperor Go-Daigo).

Important Events During the Gen'ō Era

After Emperor Hanazono stepped down, Prince Takaharu became the new emperor, known as Emperor Go-Daigo. Nijō Michihira was the Chancellor (called a kampaku), who was a very important advisor to the emperor. However, the former Emperor Go-Uda still had a lot of influence over the court.

In Kamakura, Prince Morikuni was the Shogun, who was like the military ruler of Japan. His main helper was Hōjō Takatoki, the chief minister (called a shikken).

• 1319 (Gen'ō 1, 3rd month): Prince Kuniyoshi, who was the son of the former Emperor Go-Nijō, was named the Crown Prince (tōgu). This meant he was next in line to become emperor.
• 1319 (Gen'ō 1, 6th month): Konoe Tsunehira passed away. He had been the Minister of the Left (sadaijin), another very important government position.
• 1319 (Gen'ō 1, 8th month): The daughter of Saionji Sanekane became one of the emperor's concubines.
• 1319 (Gen'ō 1, 12th month): Nijō Michihira left his job as kampaku. Then, Ichijō Uchitsune became the new kampaku.
• 1320 (Gen'ō 2, 5th month): Hōjō Tokiasu passed away. Tokiasu was a high official in the shogunate, serving in important roles like Rokuhara Tandai (a security office in Kyoto) and Kitakata.
• 1320 (Gen'ō 2, 5th month): Kujō Moronori passed away at 48 years old. He had been a former Regent (sesshō), a person who helps rule when the emperor is too young or unable to.

Related pages

• Kamakura period

You can learn more about the Japanese calendar and history from the National Diet Library's "The Japanese Calendar" website: -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection