Kōka

In today's world, Kōka has become a topic of great relevance and interest to a wide audience. Whether due to its impact on society, its historical relevance, its influence on popular culture or its importance in academia, Kōka has captured the attention of countless people around the world. In this article, we will explore the different aspects related to Kōka, analyzing its evolution over time, its many facets and its meaning today. From a multidisciplinary approach, we will seek to understand the role Kōka plays in our lives and how it has shaped the world we know.

Kōka (弘化) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō, literally "year name") after Tenpō and before Kaei. This period spanned the years from December 1844 through February 1848.[1] The reigning emperors were Ninkō-tennō (仁孝天皇) and Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).

Change of era

  • December 2, 1844 (Kōka gannen (弘化元年)): The new era name of Kōka, meaning "Becoming Wide or Vast", was created to mark a fire at Edo Castle in Tenpō 15.

The nengo was not changed concurrent with the accession of Emperor Komei; instead, the Kōka era was retained until about a year after the new emperor was enthroned.[2]

Events of the Kōka era

  • 1847 (Kōka 4): A major earthquake was recorded.
  • 1848 (Kōka 5): The last subscription noh of the premodern era.[3]

During these years, Hiroshige began making a series of prints showing beautiful women in contexts of famous places.[4]

Notes

  1. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Kōka" Japan Encyclopedia, p. 546, p. 546, at Google Books; n.b., Louis-Frédéric is pseudonym of Louis-Frédéric Nussbaum, see Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Authority File Archived 2012-05-24 at archive.today.
  2. ^ Keene, Donald. (2005). Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his world, 1852-1912, p. 101., p. 101, at Google Books
  3. ^ Rath, Eric C. (2006). The Ethos of Noh: Actors And Their Art, p. 218., p. 218, at Google Books
  4. ^ Oka, Isaburo. (1987). Hiroshige: Japan's great landscape artist, p. 87., p. 87, at Google Books

References

  • Keene, Donald. (2005). Emperor of Japan: Meiji and his world, 1852-1912. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231123419; OCLC 57750432
  • Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric and Käthe Roth. (2005). Japan Encyclopedia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01753-5; OCLC 48943301
Preceded by
Tenpō (天保)
Era or nengō
Kōka (弘化)

1844–1848
Succeeded by
Kaei (嘉永)