Shōhō

For the aircraft carrier, see Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō.

Shōhō (正保) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō, "year name") after Kan'ei and before Keian. This period spanned the years from December 1644 through February 1648.^[1] The reigning emperor was Go-Kōmyō-tennō (後光明天皇).^[2]

Change of era

• 1644 Shōhō gannen (正保元年): The era name was changed to Shōhō to mark the enthronement of the new emperor Go-Kōmyō. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in Kan'ei 21, on the 16th day of the 12th month.^[3]

Events of the Shōhō era

• 1644 (Shōhō 1): The third major map of Japan was ordered by the Tokugawa Shogunate—the first having been completed in Keichō 10—at a scale of 1:432,000 (based on maps of the provinces drawn to a scale of 1:21,600).^[4]
• May 18, 1645 (Shōhō 2, 23rd day of the 4th month): The Shōgun was elevated the court role of Middle Counselor (中納言, Chūnaigon).^[2]
• June 13, 1645 (Shōhō 2, 19th day of the 5th month): Death of Miyamoto Musashi.^{[citation needed]}
• December 1645 (Shōhō 3): Death of Takuan Sōhō, a leading figure in the Zen reform movement.^[3]
• January 18, 1646 (Shōhō 2, 2nd day of the 12th month): Death of Hosokawa Tadaoki.^{[citation needed]}
• May 11, 1646 (Shōhō 3, 26th day of the 3rd month): Death of Yagyū Munenori.^{[citation needed]}
• 1648 (Shōhō 6): The shogunate issues a legal code governing the lives of commoners in Edo.^[3]