Kansei facts for kids

The Kansei (寛政) was a special time period in Japanese history. It was a nengō (年号), which means "year name." This era came after the Tenmei period and before the Kyōwa period.

The Kansei era started in January 1789 and ended in February 1801. During these years, the emperor of Japan was Kōkaku-tennō (光格天皇). The name Kansei itself means "Lenient Government," suggesting a time of calm and careful rule.

Key Events of the Kansei Era

Silver coins made during the Kansei era.

Many important things happened during the Kansei era that shaped Japan's future.

New Rules and Ideas (1790)

• In 1790 (which was Kansei 2), a powerful leader named Matsudaira Sadanobu made an important rule. It was called the Kansei Edict (寛政異学の禁, Kansei igaku no kin). This rule was about Confucianism, which is a system of beliefs and ideas from ancient China. It focused on how people should live and how society should be organized. The edict promoted certain types of Confucian thinking, especially Neo-Confucian ideas, in schools and government.

First Contact with Russia (1792)

• In 1792 (Kansei 4), a Russian envoy named Adam Laxman arrived in Japan. He landed in a place called Nemuro, which is in eastern Ezo (what we now call Hokkaidō). This was one of the first times Russia tried to make contact with Japan, which was mostly closed off to the outside world at that time.

Family Records and History (1793)

• In 1793 (Kansei 5), the Shogunate (the military government of Japan) gave an order. They wanted people to research and publish the family histories of important families. This included the daimyo (powerful feudal lords) and hatamoto (high-ranking samurai who served the shogun). This helped keep records of important families and their connections.

Updating the Calendar (1797)

• In 1797 (Kansei 9), there was a big change to Japan's calendar. This was known as the Kansei Calendar Revision. Calendars were very important for farming, festivals, and knowing when events would happen. Updating it made it more accurate.

More About the Kansei Era

• Edo period
• Kansei calendar

• You can learn more about the Japanese calendar at the National Diet Library website: "The Japanese Calendar"