Shōgen facts for kids

Shōgen (正元) was a special way to count years in ancient Japan. It was like a short period of time, also called a nengō (which means "year name").

The Shōgen era came after an era called Shōka and before an era called Bun'ō. It only lasted for a short time. This period started in March 1259 and finished in April 1260.

During the Shōgen era, two emperors ruled Japan. First, there was Emperor Go-Fukakusa (後深草天皇). Then, his younger brother, Emperor Kameyama (亀山天皇), became the emperor.

What Was the Shōgen Era?

In Japan's history, eras like Shōgen were used to mark time. They were often chosen to celebrate a happy event or to start fresh after something bad happened. Each era had a special name and lasted for a few years.

The Shōgen era was part of the Kamakura period. This was a time when powerful samurai warriors had a lot of influence in Japan.

Key Events During Shōgen

Even though the Shōgen era was short, a few important things happened:

• 1259 (Shōgen 1, 11th month): Emperor Go-Fukakusa decided to step down from his role. He was 14 years old when he resigned. His younger brother then became the new emperor. This was a big change in leadership.

• 1260 (Shōgen 2): A famous Buddhist monk named Nichiren wrote an important book. It was called Rissho Ankoku Ron. This means "On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism." In his book, Nichiren talked about how he believed true Buddhist teachings could bring peace and safety to Japan.

Emperors of Shōgen

• Emperor Go-Fukakusa (1243–1304): He was the 89th Emperor of Japan. He ruled before the Shōgen era began and continued into its first year. He chose to give up his throne in 1259.

• Emperor Kameyama (1249–1305): He was the 90th Emperor of Japan. He became emperor during the Shōgen era after his older brother, Go-Fukakusa, resigned.

Learning More About Japanese Eras

Japanese eras are a fascinating part of the country's history. They help us understand when important events happened and who was in charge.

Here is a quick look at the years of the Shōgen era:

The Shōgen era was placed between two other eras:

Related pages

• Kamakura period
• Jōgen (Kamakura period), 1207-1211 – Shōgen is an alternative pronunciation
• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar"