Shōhō

Shōhō (正保) was a Japanese era name (年号) after Kan'ei and before Keian. This period spanned the years from December 1644 through February 1648. The reigning emperor was Go-Kōmyō-tennō (後光明天皇).

Change of era

 * 1644 Shōhō gannen (正保元年): The era name was changed to Shōhō to mark the enthronement of the new emperor Go-Kōmyō. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in Kan'ei 21, on the 16th day of the 12th month.

Events of the Shōhō era

 * 1644 (Shōhō 1): The third major map of Japan was ordered by the Tokugawa Shogunate—the first having been completed in Keichō 10—at a scale of 1:432,000 (based on maps of the provinces drawn to a scale of 1:21,600).
 * May 18, 1645 (Shōhō 2, 23rd day of the 4th month): The Shōgun was elevated the court role of Middle Counselor (中納言).
 * June 13, 1645 (Shōhō 2, 19th day of the 5th month): Death of Miyamoto Musashi.
 * December 1645 (Shōhō 3): Death of Takuan Sōhō, a leading figure in the Zen reform movement.
 * January 18, 1646 (Shōhō 2, 2nd day of the 12th month): Death of Hosokawa Tadaoki.
 * May 11, 1646 (Shōhō 3, 26th day of the 3rd month): Death of Yagyū Munenori.
 * 1648 (Shōhō 6): The shogunate issues a legal code governing the lives of commoners in Edo.