Kōchō (弘長) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō, lit. "year name") after Bun'ō and before Bun'ei. This period spanned the years from February 1261 to February 1264.[1] The reigning emperor was Kameyama-tennō (亀山天皇).[2]
Change of era
Kōchō gannen (弘長元年); 1261: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in Bun'ō 2. The era name comes from The Political Program of the Zhenguan Period and combines the characters 弘 ("broad") and 長 ("long").
Events of the Kōchō era
June 11, 1261 (Kōchō 1, 12th day of the 5th month): Nichiren was exiled to Itō in the Izu Province.[3]
March 19, 1262 (Kōchō 2, 28th day of the 11th month): Shinran passes away at the age of 90
April 1, 1263 (Kōchō 3, 22nd day of the 2nd month): Nichiren was pardoned.[3]