Jōgen (Kamakura period) facts for kids
Jōgen (also called Shōgen) was a special time period in Japan's history. It's like how we have years (like 2024), but ancient Japan used "era names" called nengō. Each era had a unique name and lasted for a few years.
The Jōgen era lasted from October 1207 to March 1211. During this time, two emperors ruled Japan: Emperor Tsuchimikado and later Emperor Juntoku. This period was part of the larger Kamakura period, a time when powerful samurai families had a lot of influence.
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Key Events During Jōgen
Many interesting things happened during the Jōgen era. Here are some of the most important ones:
Emperor Tsuchimikado's Journeys
- 1208 (Jōgen 2): Emperor Tsuchimikado made an important trip to the Kumano Sanzan Shrine. This was a very sacred place, and emperors often visited it for religious reasons.
- 1210 (Jōgen 4): The emperor visited the Kumano Shrine again. This shows how important these spiritual journeys were to him.
- 1210 (Jōgen 4): Later that year, Emperor Tsuchimikado also visited the Kasuga Shrine. This was another significant shrine in Japan.
Changes in the Imperial Court
- 1210 (Jōgen 4): Emperor Tsuchimikado welcomed a person named Hideyasu from Kazusa Province into his court. This meant Hideyasu became an important part of the government and royal family's circle.
A Rare Sight in the Sky
- 1210 (Jōgen 4): People looked up at the night sky and saw something amazing: a comet with a very long, bright tail! Seeing a comet was a rare and exciting event back then.
A New Emperor Takes the Throne
- 1210 (Jōgen 4, 25th day of the 11th month): Emperor Tsuchimikado decided to step down from his role. This is called abdication. He had been emperor for 12 years.
- After Tsuchimikado abdicated, his younger brother became the new emperor. This process is called senso, which means receiving the succession.
- Soon after, his brother's role as emperor was officially confirmed in a ceremony called sokui. This new emperor was Emperor Juntoku.
Understanding the Jōgen Era Dates
The table below helps you see how the Jōgen era years match up with our modern calendar years:
| Jōgen Year | Modern Year |
|---|---|
| 1st | 1207 |
| 2nd | 1208 |
| 3rd | 1209 |
| 4th | 1210 |
| 5th | 1211 |
The Jōgen era came after the Ken'ei era and was followed by the Kenryaku era. Each era marked a specific period in Japan's long and interesting history.
Related pages
Learn More
- You can find more information about the Japanese calendar and its history at the National Diet Library's website: "The Japanese Calendar"
