Taika (era) facts for kids

Taika (大化) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name"). It was the first nengō and the Hakuchi was the second. This period started in August 645 and ended in February 650. During this time, the emperor was Kōtoku-tennō (孝徳天皇).

History

The system of nengō mirrored the Chinese system of eras (nianhao). The use of nengō marked a new phase in the history of the Imperial court. It became an example of growth in political power.

Timeline

Timelines of early Japanese nengō and Imperial reign dates

The system of Japanese era names was not the same as Imperial reign dates.

Events of the Taika era

• 645 (Taika 1): Empress Kōgyoku abdicated; and her brother received the succession (senso). Soon after, Emperor Kōtoku's new role as monarch was confirmed by ceremonies (sokui).

• 645 (Taika 1): Kōtoku introduces reforms of government called Taika reform (大化の改新, Taika no kaishin). The ideas and goals of this systemic reform (律令, ritsuryō) were written. For example, Kōtoku divided Japan into eight provinces. Government officials who were ranked in a hierarchy.

• 645 (Taika 1): The capital of Japan is moved from Asuka to Naniwa in Settsu Province. The name of Kōtoku's palace was Toyosaki-no-Miya.

• 646 (Taika 2, 1st day of the 1st month): Kōtoku established a regular calendar for the court, with major audiences scheduled only on certain days. The emperor also ordered the creation of storehouses of goods and arsenals to serve the needs of a national army or militia. The rules of etiquette and customs of the court were established.

• 649 (Taika 5): A new system of government which was composed of eight ministries and 100 bureaus (hasshō hyakkan).

• 650 (Taika 6): The daimyo of Nagato Province brought a white pheasant to the court as a gift for the emperor. This white pheasant was then construed as a good omen. The emperor caused the nengō to be changed to Hakuchi (meaning "white pheasant").

Related pages

• Asuka period

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection

See also

In Spanish: Taika (era) para niños