Shōtoku (era) facts for kids

Shōtoku (正徳) was a special name for a period of time in Japanese history. It's like how we have years (like 2024), but in Japan, they also used era names. The Shōtoku era came after an era called Hōei and before an era called Kyōhō.

This period started in April 1711 and finished in June 1716. During these years, the emperor of Japan was Emperor Nakamikado. The name Shōtoku means "Correct Virtue," which sounds pretty wise!

What Happened During the Shōtoku Era?

The poet Bonchō died in the 4th year of Shōtoku

Many important things happened during the Shōtoku era. Here are some of the key events:

• 1711 (Shōtoku 1): An important visitor, an ambassador from Korea, came to the Japanese court. This was a big deal for diplomacy between the two countries.
• 12 November 1712 (Shōtoku 2): The leader of Japan, called the Shogun, Tokugawa Ienobu, passed away. The Shogun was like the military ruler of Japan during this time.
• 1713 (Shōtoku 3): After the death of the previous Shogun, Tokugawa Ietsugu became the 7th Shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. He was a very young leader.
• 1714 (Shōtoku 4): The government introduced new gold and silver coins. This helped with trade and how people bought and sold things.
• 1714 (Shōtoku 4): A famous poet named Nozawa Bonchō died. He was known for his beautiful poems.
• 20 April 1715 (Shōtoku 5): People celebrated a very special anniversary. It was 100 years since the death of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the first and a very important Shogun.

Understanding Japanese Eras

Japanese era names, or nengō, are a unique way to mark time. They are often chosen to reflect hopes for the future or important events. Each emperor's reign might have one or more era names.

Related Pages

• Edo period
• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection

See also

In Spanish: Era Shotoku para niños