Genbun


Genbun was a Japanese [era name] after Kyōhō and before Kanpō. This period spanned the years from April 1736 through February 1741. The reigning emperor was Emperor Sakuramachi of Japan.

Change of era

  • 1736 Genbun gannen: To mark the enthronement of Sakuramachi, the era was changed to Genbun. The previous era ended and the new one commenced in Kyōhō 21, on the 21st day of the 4th month.

    Events of the ''Genbun'' era

  • 1736 : The shogunate published an edict declaring that henceforth, the sole, authorized coinage in the empire would be those copper coins which were marked on the obverse with the character 文.
  • 1737 : A comet is noticed in the western part of the sky.
  • 1738 : Esoteric Shinto rituals Daijō-ye were performed by the emperor.
  • 1739 : Some foundrymen in Edo are commanded to create iron coins for use across the empire.
  • 1739 : Hosokawa Etchū-no-kami of Higo was killed in Edo castle by Itakura Katsukane, and the killer was ordered to commit suicide as just punishment; however, Shōgun Yoshimune personally intervened to mitigate the adverse consequences for the killer's fudai family.
  • August 8, 1740 : Great floods in Heian-kyō. Sanjo Bridge is washed away.
  • January 11, 1741 : The esoteric Niiname-matsuri ceremonies were performed. This specific ceremony had otherwise been held in abeyance for the previous 280 years.