Man'en (万延)
1860 — 1861
Start Date
1860-04-08
End Date
1861-03-29
auto_stories Origin & Meaning
Words wishing for the ruler's virtue and national peace were selected from Chinese classical literature. The selection of an era name was an extremely important ritual influencing the fate of the nation. Intellectuals examined Chinese classics to propose phrases indicating auspicious omens or the ruler's virtue. The two chosen characters embodied the ruler's prayer to sever ties with past calamities and guarantee tranquility.
event_upcoming Key Historical Events
The various events that occurred during this period brought about essential transformations in the social structure and the spiritual world of the people. Power struggles and policy shifts redefined the power balance of the ruling class and had broad impacts reaching the living standards. Furthermore, natural disasters and epidemics were feared as warnings from heaven, serving as catalysts for the rise of new faiths.
theater_comedy Social & Cultural Atmosphere
The late 19th-century Edo to the Bakumatsu was an era of profound tension, as the Pax Tokugawa began to waver just before the nation shed its skin to become a modern state. Domestically, natural disasters such as the Tenpo Famine became evident, while external pressure intensified with the arrival of Commodore Perry. The fierce debate over "Opening the Country" versus "Expelling the Barbarians" was a process by which the Japanese redefined their nation's position on a global scale. The rise of powerful domains like Choshu and Satsuma, and the path leading to the Restoration of Imperial Rule, were essential leaps to end centuries of feudalism and open the door to the brilliant Meiji era.
history Historical Context & Timeline
When future historians look back on this era, it becomes clear how decisive the few years recorded here were. Even if it seemed to be in a state of temporary stability or confusion, the formation of a new order was steadily progressing beneath the surface. The responses of rulers to the challenges they faced were inherited as lessons for the next generation.
Explore Year 1860
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