Overview
Shōchō (正長) is the Japanese era name (nengō) that covered the period from April 1428 through September 1429. Era names are formal labels used in Japanese chronology; they typically change to mark notable events such as the accession of a new emperor, major disasters, or auspicious occurrences. The Shōchō era follows the long Ōei era and immediately precedes the Eikyō era.
During Shōchō the imperial throne passed from Emperor Shōkō to Emperor Go-Hanazono. Emperor Shōkō's death in 1428 led to the formal succession and the establishment of his successor. Because Shōchō lasted less than two years, it is often noted as one of the shorter era names of the early 15th century.
Historical context
The Shōchō era belongs to the Muromachi period, when real political power lay largely with the Ashikaga shogunate while the imperial court continued its ceremonial and cultural functions. Short era names like Shōchō reflect the period's pattern of frequent nengō changes tied to court events and the desire to mark new beginnings after calamities or deaths.
Key facts
- Time span: April 1428 – September 1429.
- Preceded by: Ōei.
- Followed by: Eikyō.
- Principal emperors: Shōkō and Go-Hanazono.
- System: Japanese nengō (era-name) dating system.
Because the era was brief, few large-scale political or cultural projects are uniquely associated with its name. Historians typically reference Shōchō when establishing precise dates for events that occurred in this transitional interval between two longer eras.
For chronological research and primary-source references, Shōchō appears in court records, official diaries, and temple archives from the late 1420s. These documents help place imperial acts, appointments, and ceremonial observances in the narrow window that Shōchō denotes.