Keiō

Keiō (慶応, historically 慶應) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name") after Genji and before Meiji. The period started in April 1865 and ended in September 1868.[1] During this time, the emperors were Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇)[2] and Meiji-tennō (明治天皇).[3]

The nengō Keiō means "Joyous Concord"[4]

Events of the Keiō era

Goryōkaku was built in the 2nd year of Keiō
  • 10 January 1867 (Keiō 2, 5th day of the 12th month): Yoshinobu was formally established as shogun.[6]
  • 30 January 1867 (Keiō 2, 25th day of the 12th month): Kōmei died;[7] and the succession passed to his son (senso).
  • 10 November 1867 (Keiō 3, 15th day of the 10th month): An Imperial edict defines a restoration of Imperial government.[6]
  • 3 September 1868 (Keiō 4, 17th day of the 7th month): Edo was renamed "Tokyo", which means "Eastern Capital".[8]
  • 8 October 1868 (Keiō 4, 23rd of the 8th month): Battle of Aizu began.
  • 12 October 1868 (Keiō 4, 27th day of the 8th month): Emperor Meiji's role as monarch was confirmed by ceremonies (sokui).[9]
  • 23 October 1868 (Keiō 4, 8th day of the 9th month): The nengō was formally changed from Keiō to Meiji; and a general amnesty was granted.[10]

In 1868, the emperor moved his Imperial court to Tokyo; and Edo castle became an Imperial palace.[10] In this way, the capital of Japan moved from Kyoto to Tokyo.[11]

Keio University was named after this era.[12] It is the oldest existing institution of higher learning in Japan.[13]

References

  1. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Keiō" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 505.
  2. Nussbaum, "Kōmei Tennō," p. 553.
  3. Nussbaum, "Meiji Tennō," p. 624.
  4. Lane-Poole, Stanley. (1894). The Life of Sir Harry Parkes, p. 97.
  5. Nussbaum, "Goryōkaku" ay p. 259.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1956). Kyoto: The Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869, p. 326.
  7. Ponsonby-Fane, p. 326; Meyer, Eva-Maria. (1999). Japans Kaiserhof in der Edo-Zeit, p. 186; Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), 孝明天皇 (121); retrieved 2012-5-27.
  8. Ponsonby-Fane, p. 327.
  9. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 328; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, 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. Compare Kunaichō, Ceremony of Accession (Sokui-no-Rei); retrieved 2012-6-30.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Ponsonby-Fane, p. 328.
  11. Nussbaum, "Meiji-isshin" at p. 624.
  12. Nussbaum, "Keiō Gijuku Daigaku" at p. 505.
  13. Ozaki, Yukio. (2001). The Autobiography of Ozaki Yukio, p. 21.

Other websites


Keiō 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1865 1866 1867 1868
Preceded by:
Genji
Era or nengō:
Keiō
Succeeded by:
Meiji