Yōrō facts for kids

Yōrō (養老) was a special time period in Japanese history. It was like a unique name given to a group of years, called a nengō (年号). This era came after the Reiki period and before the Jinki period. The Yōrō era began in November 717 and ended in February 724. During this time, the ruler of Japan was Empress Genshō.

What Happened During the Yōrō Era?

Empress Genshō's Travels

• 717 (Yōrō 1): Empress Genshō traveled a lot. She visited Ōmi Province and met with important leaders from different regions of Japan. These leaders came from areas like San'indō, San'yōdō, and Nankaidō.
• She also traveled to Mino Province. Here, she met with more leaders from the Tōkaidō, Tōsandō, and Hokurikudō regions. These meetings helped the Empress connect with people across the country.

New Laws and History Books

• 718 (Yōrō 2): Important changes were made to the laws of Japan. These laws were part of something called the Taihō Code. A new set of laws, known as the Yōrō Code (養老律令, Yōrō-ritsuryō), was created. This new code included updates and additions to the older laws.
• 720 (Yōrō 4): A very important history book was finished. It was called the Nihon Shoki. This book tells the story of Japan from ancient times.
• 721 (Yōrō 5): The Nihon Shoki, which was made up of 30 volumes, was officially given to Empress Genshō.

Important People Pass Away

• 721 (Yōrō 5): Fujiwara no Fuhito died when he was 62 years old. He was a very powerful politician and a key figure in the government.
• 721 (Yōrō 5): Former-Empress Gemmei also passed away at the age of 61. She was the Empress before Genshō and was also very important in Japanese history.

More About the Yōrō Era

The Yōrō era was part of a larger time in Japanese history called the Nara period. This period was known for its strong central government and the growth of Buddhism.

You can learn more about Japanese history and calendars from the National Diet Library. They have a historical overview with pictures from their collection.