Tenroku facts for kids

The Tenroku (天禄) era was a special way of counting years in ancient Japan. It was like a time period that came after the Anna era and before the Ten'en era. The Tenroku era started in March 970 and ended in March 973. During these years, two emperors ruled Japan: Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yū.

Key Events of the Tenroku Era

• 970 (Tenroku 1, 1st month): Important changes happened in the government. Fujiwara no Arihira became the Minister of the Left (sadaijin). This was a very high-ranking job. Fujiwara no Koretada became the Minister of the Right (udaijin), another important position in the Imperial court.
• 970 (Tenroku 1, 5th month): Fujiwara no Saneyori, a powerful advisor, passed away at age 71. Koretada then took his place as the main advisor to the emperor.
• 970 (Tenroku 1, 10th month): Fujiwara no Arihira, who was the Minister of the Left, died at age 79.
• 971 (Tenroku 2, 3rd month): A special festival (matsuri) was held for the first time. It honored the kami (gods or spirits) of the Iwashimizu Shrine.
• 971 (Tenroku 2, 11th month): Koretada was given an even higher role. He became the Prime Minister (daijō-daijin), the most important government official. Minamoto no Kaneakira became the Minister of the Left, and Fujiwara no Yoritada was named Minister of the Right.
• 4 April 972 (Tenroku 3, 5th day of the 3rd month): Koretada organized special events. These ceremonies officially confirmed Emperor En'yū's role as the ruler of Japan.
• 972 (Tenroku 3, 11th month): Koretada passed away at age 49.

Related Pages

• Heian period

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