Shōka facts for kids

Shōka (正嘉) was a special name for a period of time in Japan. It's like how we have years, but in old Japan, they also used "era names" or nengō (年号, ([nengō,] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help), lit. "year name")). The Shōka era came after the Kōgen era and before the Shōgen era.

This period started in March 1257 and ended in March 1259. During this time, the emperor of Japan was Go-Fukakusa-tennō (後深草天皇). He was the leader of the country during these years.

Key Events of the Shōka Era

What Happened in Japan?

• 1257 (Shōka 1): In this year, a big sickness spread across Japan. Many people got sick during this time.

More About This Time

• Kamakura period: The Shōka era was part of a larger historical period in Japan called the Kamakura period. This was a time when powerful warrior families ruled the country.

• You can learn more about the Japanese calendar and its history by visiting the National Diet Library's website: "The Japanese Calendar".

Images for kids

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  Classical shōka arrangement from the Sōka Hyakki

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  Illustration of the principal lines used in seika, which are "heaven", "human", and "earth"

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  Coloured diagram of a hanging shōka, by the 40th headmaster Ikenobō Senjō, from the Sōka Hyakki (1820)

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  Coloured diagram of a festive shōka with the Three Friends of Winter, by the 42nd headmaster Ikenobō Senshō, from the Senshō Risshokashu (1878)

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  Arrangement of the Saga Go-ryū in front of a hanging scroll in a tokonoma. The branch to the right shows the silhouette of Mount Fuji

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  Formal shōka from the Ikenobō using a bronze vessel

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  Shōka from the Ikenobō using a bamboo vessel

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  Kakubana arrangement from Hanamichi Iemoto Mishō-ryū (花道家元未生流) using three bamboo vessels

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  Classical arrangement from the Saika-ryū (彩華流) with Salix koriyanagi willow

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  Modern Shōka from the Ikenobō