Kaei

Kaei (嘉永) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name") after Kōka and before Ansei. This period started in February 1848 and ended in November 1854.^[1] During this time, the emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).^[2]

The nengō Kaei means "Celebration of Eternity"^[3] or "Eternal Felicity"^[4]

Events of the Kaei Era

Coins minted during the Kaei era

• 1849 (Kaei 2): Medical practice of vaccination first used by Dutch physician at Dejima.^[5]

• July 1853 (Kaei 6): Commodore Matthew Perry and the United States Navy anchor off Uraga at the mouth of Tokyo Bay.^[6]

• 1854 (Kaei 7): Commodore Perry returns to Edo Bay to force Japanese agreement to the Treaty of Kanagawa. The chief Japanese negotiator was Hayashi Akira.^[7]

• 2 May 1854 (Kaei 7, the 6th day of the 4th month): Fire destroyed the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.^[8]

During the Kaei era, the shogunate bought guns and encouraged the manufacture of guns.^[9]

Related pages

• Edo period