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The Kamakura period: from 1192 (the third year of kenkyu
), the year when Minamoto no Yoritomo ![]()
became a Seii Taishogun [Barbarian-quelling Generalissimo], to 1333 (the third year of genko
), the year when Takatoki Hojo (Hojo, Takatoki), the fourteenth regent of the Kamakura Bakufu [Kamakura Shogunate], was overthrown. Please note that there are various theories as to when the Kamakura period began. The most generally accepted theory determines the year of the beginning of the Kamakura period as 1185 (the first year of bunji), the year when Yoritomo destroyed the Heike (Heike [Taira] clan), and held power over the military and the police force. And there is the theory that considers 1183 (the second year of juei), the year when Yoritomo's administrative authority over the eastern provinces (Togoku
) was granted, to be the year when the Kamakura period began. Another theory suggests that in 1180 (the fourth year of jisho), Yoritomo raised an army against the Heike, which was the beginning of the Kamakura period.
The Muromachi period: from 1336 (the third year of kenmu
).
• The words in parentheses in a table cell of the Emperor column are, for an Emperor, 1. the emperor's personal name, 2. his reign in month-day-year format (reigned month.day.year), and, for a Cloistered Emperor, the period of his cloister government in month-day-year format (governed month.day.year), which is displayed in smaller font size and gray font color. "Cloistered Emperor" that precedes a cloistered emperor's name is abbreviated to "CE" in this Emperor column.
• The dominical year in a table cell of the Christian Year column indicates the continuance of the era name. (When set down with the inclusion of the year that a change in era name was instituted, the final year of the era name will be the dominical year enclosed with parentheses and displayed in smaller font size and gray font color.)
• The Japanese Buddhism related events in a table cell of the Japanese Buddhism column are principally limited to those touched upon on the Fushidansekkyo-theme pages. In this column, I use the word "disciple" for the ardent followers that Shinran had, though, as is well known, Shinran refused to recognize any disciples. As for the old province names mentioned in this column, please see simplified border maps of the old provinces with explanations below.
| Emperor | Era Name | Christian Year | Japanese Buddhism |
|---|---|---|---|
CE Goshirakawa (governed 8.11.1158 [hogen 3] to 11.20.1179 [jisho 3]) Emperor Takakura |
angen |
1175 — 1176 (1177} |
|
CE Takakura (governed 2.21.1180 [jisho 4] to 12.18.1180 [jisho 4]) CE Goshirakawa (governed 1.7.1181 [jisho 5] to 3.13.1192 [kenkyu 3]) |
jisho |
1177 — 1180 (1181} |
• A destructive fire called "Taro Jomo • Honen leaves Hirodani for Higashiyama Otani (1177). • A very strong earthquake strikes Kinai, and the giant bell and the head (spiral hairs on top) of the Great Buddha fall at Todai-ji (10th month, jisho 1: 1177). • A destructive fire called "Jiro Jomo" occurs in Kyoto (4th month, jisho 2: 1178). • An epidemic called "Senbyo" spreads (jisho 3: 1179). • The existing first entry of Teika's Meigetsuki (2nd month, jisho 4: 1180). • Yoritomo raises an army (8th month, jisho 4: 1180). • Taira no Shigehira sets fire to the southern capital Nara. Most temple buildings of Todai-ji and Kofuku-ji are destroyed by fire (12th month, jisho 4: 1180). • Taira no Kiyomori dies (2nd intercalary month, jisho 5: 1181). |
Emperor Antoku |
yowa |
1181 (— 1182) |
• Shinran ordained by Dokai (Jien • Jien perceives the manifestation of Kurikara Ryuo during his confinement in Myooin on the Katsura River in Omi (summer, yowa 1: 1181). (1) • Nationwide famine of Yowa strikes, and the stench of the countless dead hovers throughout (1181). |
juei |
1182 — |
• Choken's sermon at the service for Kokamonin |
|
Emperor Gotoba |
— 1184 (1185) |
• Kiso Yoshinaka invades Kyoto. The only day Honen does not study (7th month, juei 2: 1183). • Yoritomo's administrative authority over the eastern provinces is granted by an imperial order called "Jugatsu Senji" of Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa (10th month, juei 2: 1183). |
|
genryaku |
1184 (— 1185) |
• Extraordinary phenomena in heaven (1st month, genryaku 2: 1185). (I) |
|
bunji |
1185 — 1189 (1190) |
• The Heike is destroyed (3rd month, bunji 1: 1185). • A severe earthquake strikes Omi and Kinai, and takes a heavy toll of lives (7th month, bunji 1: 1185). The main quake and aftershocks going on for about 3 months rattles people, inciting fear of "Heike's curse," while fuelling a view of "all things are impermanent" interacted synergistically with the theory of the "period of the last and decadent Dharma." • Provincial military governors (Shugo) and estate stewards (Jito) are placed (11th month, bunji 1: 1185). • Honen's Ohara Mondo (Ohara Debate) (1186 or in 1189). • Honen makes his first appearance before Kanezane (1st of 8th month, bunji5: 1189). • Kanezane accepts the precepts and starts the Nembutsu practice under Honen (8th of 8th month, bunji5: 1189). • Saigyo |
|
CE Gotoba (governed 1.11.1198 [kenkyu 9] to 7.6.1221 [jokyu 3]) |
kenkyu |
1190 — 1198 (1199) |
• Yosai • Choken's sermon at the Gyakushu service for curing Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa's ailment • Seikaku's sermon at the Gyakushu service for Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa (22nd of 12th month, kenkyu 2: 1191). • Yoritomo is appointed a Seii Taishogun (7th month, kenkyu 3: 1192). • Kumagai no Naozane • Zen Buddhism is prohibited as demanded by Enryaku-ji (7th month, kenkyu 5: 1194). • Honen writes Senchaku Hongan Nembutsu Shu (The Collection of Passages on the Nembutsu Chosen in the Original Vow) (spring, kenkyu 9: 1198). • Yosai writes Kozen Gokoku Ron (Propagation of Zen for the Protection of the Country) (1198). |
Emperor Tsuchimikado |
shoji |
1199 — 1200 (1201) |
• Yoritomo dies (1st month, shoji 1: 1199). • Yosai goes down to Kamakura, and Yoritomo's legitimate wife, Masako, becomes a devout believer. (1199). (4) • Dogen |
kennin |
1201 — 1203 (1204) |
• Shinran's confinement in Rokkakudo (1201). • Shinran becomes Honen's disciple, abandons sundry practices and takes refuge in the Primal Vow (1201). • Kanezane ordained by Honen (1st month, kennin 2: 1202). • Yosai erects Kennin-ji with support of the Kamakura Bakufu (the ground breaking; 6th month, kennin 2: 1202). • Choken passes away (6th of 8th month, kennin 3: 1203). • The authority of the Hojo is intensified in the Kamakura Bakufu and takes on the character of acting Shogun (1203). |
|
genkyu |
1204 — 1205 (1206) |
• Mt. Hiei's armed monks appeal to the Tendai Zasu Shinsho • Honen issues Shichikajo Kishomon (Seven Article Pledge) (11th month, genkyu 1: 1204). • Shinran is allowed to copy Senchaku Hongan Nembutsu Shu (the wood-ox year of genkyu era: 1205). (5) ⊆ Shinran is given the copy of Senchaku Hongan Nembutsu Shu inscribed by Honen with the title inside, the words, and Shinran's then name "Shakku • Honen writes on the portrait Shinran's newly changed name [inferably, Zenshin • Seikaku cures Honen's ailment by his preaching (8th month, genkyu 2: 1205). • Kofuku-ji's monks appeal to the Imperial Court to stop the Nembutsu (10th month, genkyu 2: 1205). • Seikaku's sermon at the service for Gishumonin |
|
kenei |
1206 (— 1207) |
• Seikaku's sermon at the memorial service for a nephew of Jien (9th month, kenei 1: 1206). |
|
jogen or shogen |
1207 — 1210 (1211) |
• Religious persecution called Jogen no Honan (1207). ∈ The Nembutsu practice prohibited (2nd month, jogen 1: 1207). Anraku, Juren, and the other two executed. Shinran banished to Echigo. (6) Order for Honen's exile to Tosa issued (3rd month, jogen 1: 1207). • Kanezane dies (4th month, jogen 1: 1207). • Imperial Order for Honen's pardon issued (12th month, jogen 1: 1207). • Honen stays at the Kachiodera (Kachio-ji) in Settsu (1208). |
|
Emperor Juntoku |
kenryaku |
1211 — 1212 (1213) |
• Honen permitted to return to Kyoto (8th month, kenryaku 1: 1211). • Shinran released from banishment (11th month, kenryaku 1: 1211). • Honen begins to live at Higashiyama Otani (1211). • Honen writes Ichimai Kishomon (One Sheet Document) (23rd of 1st month, Kenryaku 2: 1212). • Honen passes away (25th of 1st month, kenryaku 2: 1212). • Seikaku's sermon at the hundredth day service for Shunkamonin • Koben (Myoe |
kenpo |
1213 — 1218 (1219) |
• Seikaku performs the 7-day Nembutsu service for Honen at Shinnyodo (1st month, kenpo 2: 1214). • While staying in Sanuki, Shinran reflects on his desire of freeing people from the world of suffering through the Merit of his recitation of Jodo Sanbukyo (the Triple Pure Land Sutras), and stops doing this (1214). • Shinran enters the eastern region frontier Hitachi (1214). • Yosai passes away in Kamakura (5th of 6th month, kenpo 3) or in Kyoto (5th of 7th month, kenpo 3) (kenpo 3: 1215). (7) • Hino Saemonnojo becomes Shinran's disciple (1217). |
|
jokyu |
1219 — |
• The Genji is destroyed. The Hojo regency starts (1219). |
|
Emperor Chukyo CE Gotakakura (governed 7.8.1221 [jokyu 3] to 5.14.1223 [joo 2]) (8) |
— 1221 (1222) |
• The development of the military epics (jokyu 2: 1220). • The Jokyu Disturbance (Cloistered Emperor Gotoba's abortive attempt to overthrow the Kamakura Bakufu) breaks (5th month, jokyu 3: 1221). • Seikaku writes Yuishinsho (Essentials of Faith Alone) (4th of the middle ten days of 8th month [14th of 8th month], jokyu3: 1221). • Yamabushi Bennen becomes Shinran's disciple (1221). • The Tale of the Heike might appear up to this time after the kennin era (1221). • Nichiren |
|
Emperor Gohorikawa |
joo |
1222 — 1223 (1224) |
|
gennin |
1224 (— 1225) |
• Senju Nembutsu (the Single-Minded Recitation of the Nembutsu) is prohibited as demanded by Enryaku-ji (1224). • Kyogyoshinsho (On Teaching, Practice, Faith, and Enlightenment) comes into existence. (1224). (9) |
|
karoku |
1225 — 1226 (1227) |
• Jien passes away (25th of 9th month, karoku 1: 1225). • Karoku no Honan (karoku 3: 1227). ∈ Mt. Hiei's monks try to exhume Honen's body. The engraving block of Senchaku Hongan Nembutsu Shu burned. Sinran's respected senior Ryukan |
|
antei |
1227 — 1228 (1229) |
• Dogen returns from Sung China, and re-enters into Kennin-ji and writes Fukanzazengi (Universal Recommendation of Zazen) (autumn, 1227). |
|
kangi or kanki |
1229 — 1231 (1232) |
• Shinran transcribes Yuishinsho (25th of 5th month, kangi 2: 1230). • Nationwide famine of Kangi strikes (1230). • Mighty famine stays, and even the capital, Kyoto, is strewn with the bodies of those who have died of starvation (1231). • His reciting Muryojukyo (the Buddha of Infinite Life Sutra) in a twilight state when in bed with a fever makes Shinran realize, again, that man's obsession and dependence on the self-power must be watched out for carefully, reawakening memories of his then desire in Sanuki about 17 years ago (4th month, kangi 3: 1231). |
|
CE Gohorikawa (governed 10.4.1232 [joei 1] to 8.6.1234 [bunryaku 1]) |
joei |
1232 (— 1233) |
• Shinran returns to Kyoto (joei 1: 1232). |
Emperor Shijo |
tenpuku |
1233 (— 1234) |
• Dogen becomes the founder of Kosho-ji in Uji, Yamashiro (1233). • The Kamakura Bakufu prohibits Senju Nembutsu (tenpuku 2: 1234). |
bunryaku |
1234 (— 1235) |
||
katei |
1235 — 1237 (1238) |
• Seikaku passes away (5th of 3rd month, katei 1: 1235). |
|
ryakunin |
1238 (— 1239) |
||
eno |
1239 (— 1240) |
• Ippen |
|
ninji |
1240 — 1242 (1243) |
• Dogen shows "Kokyo |
|
Emperor Gosaga CE Gosaga (governed 1.29.1246 [kangen 4] to 2.17.1272 [bunei 9]) |
kangen |
1243 — 1246 (1247) |
• Dogen relocates to Echizen, and erects Daibutsu-ji (Eihei-ji) (1243). • A conveyance of a presumed maid, Iya-onna (21st of 12th month, kangen 1: 1243). |
Emperor Gofukakusa |
hoji |
1247 — 1248 (1249) |
• Genpeijosuiki might appear by this time (1247). • Shinran composes Jodo Wasan (Hymns on the Pure Land) and Koso Wasan (Hymns on the Great Masters) (21st of 1st month, hoji 2: 1248). |
kencho |
1249 — 1255 (1256) |
• Shinran writes Yuishinsho Moni (Notes on 'Essentials of Faith Alone') (1250). • Shinran defuses the misplaced argument in Hitachi over Unen-Munen • Shinran expostulates with people in Kanto on their distorted discretion, Zoaku Muge • Nichiren's proclamation of his new gospel with a resounding cry of the Odaimoku (Sacred Title) (4th month, kencho 5: 1253). • The original form of Dogen's Shobo Genzo (Treasury of the Eye of True Teaching) is written (1253). • Dogen passes away at the house of his lay disciple Kakunen • Shinran enlightens a Nembutsu practitioner from Kasama on the self-power and the Other-Power (3rd of 10th month, kencho 7: 1255). • Shinran's abode at Gojo Nishinotoin suffers from a fire (year-end, 1255). (10) • Choen draws a portrait of Shinran, "Anjo no Miei" (1255). • Shinran renounces his son Zenran for having deceived people in Kanto by claiming falsely that he had been initiated into his father's "true meaning" (29th of 5th month, kencho 8: 1256). (11) |
|
kogen |
1256 (— 1257) |
• The ten-character Name and the eight-character Name (25th of 10th month, kogen 1: 1256). • The six-character Name and the ten-character Name (28th of 10th month, kogen 1: 1256). |
|
shoka |
1257 — 1258 (1259) |
• Shinran writes Ichinen Tanen Moni (Notes on Once-calling and Many-calling) (1257). • Famine of Shoka starts (1258). |
|
shogen |
1259 (— 1260) |
• It is said that everyone in the land suffers from hunger and thirst. Nationwide epidemic breaks out (1259). |
|
Emperor Kameyama |
buno |
1260 (— 1261) |
• Nichiren presents Rissho Ankoku Ron (Treatise on Spreading Peace Throughout the Country by Establishing the True Dharma) (1260). |
kocho |
1261 — 1263 (1264) |
• Shinran passes away at Zenpobo (the living quarters of his brother, Tendai monk Jinnu |
|
CE Kameyama (governed 1.26.1274 [bunei 11] to 10.21.1287 [koan 10]) |
bunei |
1264 — 1274 (1275) |
• Nichiren banished to Sado (1271). • Nichiren is released from banishment (2nd month, bunei 11: 1274), and enters in Mt. Minobu (1274). • The term "ippen (one universality)" being repeated three times in a given verse of epiphany called "Gongen Jikiju • The Mongolian (Yuan Mongol Dynasty) Expedition against Japan of Bunei (10th month, bunei 11: 1274). |
Emperor Gouta |
kenji |
1275 — 1277 (1278) |
|
CE Gofukakusa (governed 10.21.1287 [koan 10] to 2.11.1290 [shoo 3]) (13) |
koan |
1278 — 1287 (1288) |
• Ippen begins to dance in religious rapture in Saku, Shinano (koan 2: 1279). • The Mongolian Expedition against Japan of Koan (6th month, koan 4: 1281). • Nichiren passes away at the house of his devout follower Munenaka |
Emperor Fushimi |
shoo |
1288 — 1292 (1293) |
• Ippen, who is popularly called "Yugyo Shonin (Wandering Saint)," passes away in a temple building dedicated to Kannon in Hyogotsu, Settsu (23rd of 8th month, shoo 2: 1289). • Tannisho might be compiled by this time (shoo 5: 1292). • A severe earthquake strikes Kanto, and the quake death toll reaches over twenty-three thousand (4th month, Shoo 6: 1293). • A devastating drought (6th - 8th month, Shoo 6: 1293). |
CE Fushimi (governed 7.22.1298 [einin 6] to 1.21.1301 [shoan 3]) |
einin |
1293 — 1298 (1299) |
|
Emperor Gofushimi CE Gouta (governed 1.21.1301 [shoan 3] to 8.26.1308 [enkyo 1]) |
shoan |
1299 — 1301 (1301) |
|
Emperor Gonijo |
kengen or kangen |
1302 (— 1303) |
|
kagen |
1303 — 1305 (1306) |
||
tokuji |
1306 — 1307 (1308) |
||
Emperor Hanazono CE Fushimi (governed 8.26.1308 [enkyo 1] to 10.14.1313 [showa 2]) |
enkyo |
1308 — 1310 (1311) |
|
ocho |
1311 (— 1312) |
||
CE Gofushimi (governed 10.14.1313 [showa 2] to 2.26.1318 [bunho 2]) |
showa |
1312 — 1316 (1317) |
|
CE Gouta (governed 2.26.1318 [bunho 2] to 12.9.1321 [genko 1]) |
bunho |
1317 — 1318 (1319) |
|
Emperor Godaigo |
geno |
1319 — 1320 (1321) |
|
CE Gofushimi (governed 9.20.1331 [genko 1] to 5.17.1333 [genko 2]) |
genko |
1321 — 1323 (1324) |
• The work of Kokan Shiren, Genkoshakusho in thirty-volumes, appears. (1322). • Gosan Bungaku (Literature of the Five Mountains) rises (1322). |
shochu |
1324 — 1325 (1326) |
||
karyaku |
1326 — 1328 (1329) |
||
gentoku |
1329 — 1330 (1331) |
||
∩ The Northern Dynasty - the first emperor Kogon (Kazuhito, reigned 9.20.1331 to 5.17.1333) |
genko ∩ Shokyo or Shokei |
1331 — 1333 (1334) ∩ 1332 — 1333 (Kogon deposed, Era name restored to genko) |
• The Kamakura Bakufu is overthrown (1333). |
∩ TND - Komyo (Toyohito, reigned 8.15.1336 [kenmu 3] to 10.27.1348) |
kenmu |
1334 — 1335 (1336) |
∩ The period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties starts (kenmu 3: 1336). |
Long ago, I, a monk of miserable accomplishment, chanced to read this book by Shan-tao and came to understand its meaning in a rough and general manner. Thereupon I definitively abandoned the other practices and took refuge in the Nembutsu. From then on, up to the present day, both as my own practice and as my teaching to others, I have concentrated on the Nembutsu alone.(1) Toshihide Akamatsu, "Shinran to Sono Jidai" in Seitan 800nen Kinen 'Shinran Shonin Ten' [The "Shinran Shonin Exhibition" to commemorate the 800th Anniversary of Shinran's birth] (Japan: Asahi Shinbun Sha, 1973). Toshihide Akamatsu, "Kamakura Bunka" in Iwanami Koza Nihon Rekishi 5 Chusei 1 (Japan: Iwanami Shoten, 1967).
Morris J. Augustine and Tessho Kondo, The Collection of Passages on the Nembutsu Chosen in the Original Vow (Berkeley, California: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 1997), p. 140.
It is indeed an incomparable and supreme collection of fine passages, an unsurpassed and profound scripture. Out of the thousands of people who received his teaching, personally or otherwise, over many days and years, very few were allowed to read and copy this book. Nevertheless, I was allowed to copy it and also make a copy of Genku's portrait.(6) The chronological table of Hongwanji history in Tokubetsu Tenrankai Rennyo to Hongwanji [The Special Exhibition 'Rennyo and Hongan-ji Temple] (Japan: Kyoto National Museum, 1998) says that it was early in the second month in the first year of jogen when Shinran was banished to Echigo.
Hisao Inagaki tr., Kyogyoshinsho: On Teaching, Practice, Faith, And Enlightenment (Berkeley, California: Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research, 2003), pp. 337-338.
From that year with the [cyclical sign] "water-monkey" [by a combination of the ninth of the ten calendar signs and the ninth of the twelve zodiac signs] to the first year of gennin with the [cyclical sign] "wood-monkey" [by a combination of the first of the ten calendar signs and the ninth of the twelve zodiac signs] in this country, it is two thousand one hundred and eighty-three years.The first year of gennin is 1224.
(Genpo Hoshino, Mitsuyuki Ishida, and Saburo Ienaga nns., Kyogyoshinsho, Genten Nihonbukkyo no Shiso 6 [Japan: Iwanami Shoten, 1990], p. 217.)

• Emperor and Christian Year clumns - cf. Akira Muramatsu and Akiho Yamaguchi and Toshimasa Wada eds., Kogo Jiten [The Dictionary of Archaic Words], Revised and New Edition (Japan: Obun Sha, 1988), a comparative time chart of Christian and Japanese eras in the appendix to this archaic words dictionary. Rekishi Techo 1995 [History Notebook] (Japan: Yoshikawa Kobunkan, 1995), a list of successive emperors and an Occidental-Chinese-Japanese comparative chronological table in the appendix to this handbook.
• Japanese Buddhidm clumn - cf. "Eshinni Shosoku [Letters of the Nun Eshinni]" in Mizumaro Ishida nn., Shinran Zenshu, Bekkan (Japan: Shunju Sha, 1987). "Kaisetsu [Exposition]" in Genpo Hoshino, Mitsuyuki Ishida, and Saburo Ienaga nns., Kyogyoshinsho, op. cit. Masahide Sato, "Hisohizoku wo Megutte [Centering on "Being neither a priest nor a layman"]," Bukkyo, independent volume 1 [1988.11], feature issue: Shinran (Japan: Hozokan). Sho-on Hattori, A Raft From the Other Shore: Honen and the way of Pure Land Buddhism (Japan: Jodo Shu Press, 2000). Shuichi Murayama, op. cit. Shunsho Terakawa, op. cit. Tetsuo Yamaori, Nihon Bukkyoshiso no Genryu [The origins of the Japanese Buddhistic thought] (Japan: Kodan Sha, 1987). Shuyu Kanaoka, Koyu Tamura, and Akira Suganuma, "Bukkyo [Buddhism]," op. cit. Tsuneyuki Kawasaki, "Kamakura Bukkyo," op. cit. Genkoshakusho. Genpeijosuiki. Gyokuyo. Meigetsuki. Narisukeoki. Sonpibunmyaku.
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