Chōtoku

Chōtoku was a Japanese era name used from 995 to 999 during the reign of Emperor Ichijō. It followed Eien and preceded Chōhō.

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Emperor Ichijō: The 66th emperor of Japan, whose reign lasted from 986 to 1011. Chōtoku was one of the era names used during his reign.
Shōyūki: The diary of Fujiwara no Sanesuke, a record of court life in the Heian period. Its entries document political and ceremonial affairs around Chōtoku.
Japanese calendar: A system of calendars used in Japan, including traditional lunisolar and modern Gregorian dating. Chōtoku’s dates are commonly expressed in Gregorian years but originated in a different calendar system.
Chōtoku 1: The first year of the Chōtoku era, corresponding to 995. It establishes the era’s opening year in year-by-year chronology.
Fujiwara no Michinaga: A Japanese courtier who dominated the imperial government in the early eleventh century. His political ascendancy shaped the court during the era.
Epidemic of 994–995 in Japan: A severe epidemic that affected Japan in 994 and 995. The outbreak marked the beginning of Chōtoku and strained the court.
Japanese imperial succession: The rules and historical practice by which Japan’s imperial throne passes between rulers. Era names were tied to the reign and authority of the emperor.
Chōtoku 2: The second year of the Chōtoku era, corresponding to 996. It provides a concrete example of an event date recorded by era year.
Eien: A Japanese era name used from 987 to 989, before Kanna. This earlier era name preceded the sequence that led to Chōtoku.
Byōdō-in: A Buddhist temple complex in Uji, Japan, founded in 1052. Its later foundation by Fujiwara no Yorimichi reflects the court lineage active during Chōtoku.