Tenmei
Tenmei was a Japanese era from 1781 to 1789, during Emperor Kōkaku’s reign. It is associated with famine, political unrest, and reform efforts.
Tenmei famine: A severe famine in Japan, especially northeastern Honshū, during the Tenmei era. Crop failures and starvation made this the era’s most devastating crisis.
Emperor Kōkaku: The 119th emperor of Japan, whose reign lasted from 1780 to 1817. Tenmei was proclaimed during his reign.
Matsudaira Sadanobu: A Tokugawa statesman who served as senior councilor and led the Kansei reforms. He rose to power after Tenmei-era unrest and famine weakened confidence in government.
Tokugawa Ieharu: The tenth Tokugawa shogun, who governed Japan from 1760 until 1786. His shogunate confronted the early Tenmei famine and volcanic disaster.
Great Tenmei eruption: A major 1783 eruption of Mount Asama that caused widespread destruction and ashfall. Its ashfall and related disruption compounded hardship during the famine.
Emperor Go-Momozono: The 118th emperor of Japan, who reigned from 1771 until his death in 1779. His death preceded the succession that began the Tenmei era.
Kansei Reforms: A set of Tokugawa political, fiscal, and social reforms enacted from 1787 under Matsudaira Sadanobu. These reforms followed Tenmei’s crises and continued the shogunate’s response to them.
Tenpō famine: A devastating famine in Japan during the 1830s, decades after Tenmei. It offers a later comparison for how famine challenged Tokugawa administration.
Mogami Tokunai: A Japanese explorer who traveled through Ezo and documented Ainu communities and northern regions. His explorations took place during Tenmei, as the shogunate examined its northern frontier.
An'ei: A Japanese era that lasted from 1772 to 1781, immediately before Tenmei. Its final year directly preceded Tenmei’s first year.