Jōgen (Heian period) facts for kids

Jōgen (貞元) was a special way to count years in Japan during the Heian period. It's like a time period or an "era name" (called nengō in Japanese). The Jōgen era came after the Ten'en era and before the Tengen era. This time period lasted from July 976 to November 978. During these years, the emperor of Japan was Emperor En'yu-tennō (円融天皇).

What Happened During Jōgen?

This era, even though it was short, had a couple of important events.

A Big Fire at the Palace

• June 11, 976 (which was the 11th day of the 5th month in the first year of Jōgen): A huge fire broke out and destroyed the Imperial Palace. This was the main home and office for the Emperor and his family in the capital city. Fires were a common danger in old wooden cities, and this one was very serious for the government.

The Death of a Powerful Leader

• December 20, 977 (the 8th day of the 11th month in the second year of Jōgen): Fujiwara no Kanemichi passed away. He was a very important and powerful person in the government at that time. He was part of the Fujiwara family, who often held a lot of influence over the emperors during the Heian period. He was 51 years old when he died.

Understanding Japanese Eras

Japanese eras, or nengō, are different from the way we usually count years (like 2024, 2025, etc.). Instead, a new era name is chosen when an emperor takes the throne, or sometimes after a big event like a disaster.

Here's how the Jōgen era fits into the timeline:

Related Pages

• Heian period - Learn more about the long and important Heian period in Japanese history.

• You can find more information about the Japanese calendar and its history at the National Diet Library's website: "The Japanese Calendar".