Meireki

Meireki (明暦) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō; "year name") of the Edo period, after the Jōō era and before Manji era. This era's period spanned the years from April 1655 to July 1658.^[1]

The reigning emperor was Go-Sai-tennō (後西院天皇).^[2]

Change of era

• 1655 Meireki gannen (明暦元年): The era name was changed to mark the enthronement of Emperor Go-Sai. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in Jōō 4, on the 13th day of the 4th month.

The source of the new era name was:

• From the Book of Han: "With the Nine Chapters of the Great Law, the five eras will be known" (大法九章、而五紀明歴法)
• From the Book of the Later Han: "The Yellow Emperor began the passing of time, so that is why the character 歴 [passing of time] and 暦 [rhythmic cycle] are used together" (黄帝造歴、歴与暦同作)

Events of the Meireki era

• 1655 (Meireki 1): The new ambassador of Korea, arrived in Japan.^[2]
• 1655 (Meireki 1): The ex-Emperor went for the first time to Shugakuin Rikyū.^[3]
• March 2–3, 1657 (Meireki 3, 18th-19th days of the 1st month): The city of Edo was devastated by the Great Fire of Meireki.^[2]