Joo facts for kids

Jōō refers to two different time periods, or "era names," in Japanese history. These eras were used to mark specific years, much like how we use years like 2023 or 2024 today. In ancient Japan, emperors would often choose a new era name to celebrate a happy event, like a new emperor taking the throne, or to mark a fresh start after a disaster.

What is a Japanese Era Name?

A Japanese era name, called a nengō, is a special way of counting years. Instead of just counting from a fixed point like the birth of Jesus (which is how the Christian calendar works), Japan often changed its era name. Each era name would last for a certain number of years, and then a new one would begin. This system has been used for a very long time in Japan.

Why did Japan use Era Names?

The system of era names came from China. It was a way for emperors to show their power and to mark important times. When a new emperor started his rule, or when something big happened, a new era name would be chosen. This helped people keep track of time and important events during different emperors' reigns.

How were Era Names Chosen?

Era names were usually chosen from classical Chinese texts. They often picked words that meant good fortune, peace, or prosperity. The emperor and his advisors would carefully select a name that they hoped would bring good luck to the country for the years to come.

Jōō: The Kamakura Period Era (1222–1224)

The first time the name Jōō was used as an era name was during the Kamakura period of Japanese history. This period lasted from 1185 to 1333. It was a time when military leaders, called shoguns, held a lot of power, even more than the emperor.

Who was Emperor during this Jōō Era?

During the Jōō era from 1222 to 1224, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Go-Horikawa. He was a young emperor who came to the throne after a big conflict called the Jōkyū War. This war had weakened the emperor's power even more, making the shogun's rule stronger.

What happened in Japan during 1222–1224?

This Jōō era was a relatively short period. After the Jōkyū War, the Kamakura Shogunate, led by the Hōjō family, had firm control over Japan. They made sure that their power was strong and that there were no more rebellions against them. Life for ordinary people continued under the rule of the samurai warriors.

Jōō: The Edo Period Era (1652–1655)

The second time the name Jōō was used was much later, during the Edo period of Japanese history. This period lasted from 1603 to 1868. It was a time of long peace and stability under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. Japan was mostly closed off from the rest of the world during this time.

Who was Emperor during this Jōō Era?

During the Jōō era from 1652 to 1655, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Go-Kōmyō. Like many emperors during the Edo period, he had less political power. The real power was held by the shogun in Edo (modern-day Tokyo).

What happened in Japan during 1652–1655?

This Jōō era was also quite short. It came after a period of great peace established by the Tokugawa shoguns. During this time, Japan continued its policy of isolation, meaning it had very limited contact with other countries. Inside Japan, cities like Edo grew, and culture, like kabuki theater and woodblock prints, started to become very popular. The country was generally stable and prosperous.

The End of Era Names

Japan continued to use era names until 1868, when the Meiji Restoration happened. This was a big change where the emperor regained power, and Japan started to modernize very quickly. From then on, Japan decided to use only one era name for each emperor's entire reign. This is called the Ichiyo-issho system. So, when a new emperor takes the throne, a new era name begins, and it lasts until that emperor's reign ends.