Karoku facts for kids

Karoku (嘉禄) was a special time period or "era name" in Japan. It came after the Gennin era and before the Antei era. This era lasted from April 1225 to December 1227. During this time, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Go-Horikawa.

Key Events During the Karoku Era

• 1225 (Karoku 1, 11th month): A young leader named Kujō Yoritsune had his coming-of-age ceremony in Kamakura. He was only 8 years old! Even though he was a leader, the real power was held by Hōjō Yasutoki. Hōjō Yasutoki was the shikken, which means he was a powerful regent who helped run the government.
• 1225 (Karoku 1, 12th month): Emperor Go-Horikawa made a special visit. He traveled in a formal procession to important shrines. These included the Iwashimizu Hachiman-gū and the Kamo Shrines. Visiting these shrines was a way to show respect and pray for the country.
• 1226 (Karoku 2, 1st month): The Emperor gave Yoritsune a higher position in the court. This meant Yoritsune moved up in the government's official ranks.

Understanding Japanese Eras

In Japan, eras are like special time periods. They are used instead of just counting years from a fixed point. Each era has a unique name. This system helps mark important events in history.

Related Topics

• Kamakura period: This was a long period in Japanese history when military leaders held much of the power. The Karoku era was part of this larger period.
• The Japanese Calendar: You can learn more about how Japan kept track of time and different eras from the National Diet Library.