Shōan (正安) is an era in Japanese history. This era spanned the years from April 1299 through November 1302.[1] Preceding it was the Einin era, and following it was the Kengen era. The reigning emperors were Go-Fushimi-tennō (後伏見天皇) and Go-Nijō-tennō (後二条天皇).[2]
Change of era
1299Shōan gannen (正安元年): 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 Einin 7. The era name is derived from the Kongzi Jiayu (School Sayings of Confucius) and combines the characters 正 ("justice") and 安 ("peaceful").
Events of the Shōan era
November 1, 1299 (Shōan 1, 8th day of the 10th month): Chinese Chan master Yishan Yining arrived in Kamakura as a last Mongol envoy.
March 2, 1301 (Shōan 3, 21st day of the 1st month): In the 5th year of Go-Fushimi-tennō's reign (後伏見天皇5年), the emperor was forced to abdicate; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Nijō is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).[3]
1301 (Shōan 3): Gokenho, a Buddhist text was printed.[4]
^Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, p. 274-275; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki. pp. 238-239.
^Titsingh, p. 275; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami.