Hōei gannen(宝永元年,Hōei gannen?); 1704: In reaction to the Great Genroku Earthquake in Genroku 16, the era name was changed to Hōei (meaning "Prosperous Eternity"). The previous era ended and the new one commenced in Genroku 17, on the 13th day of the 3rd month.
Events of the Hōei era
Looking down towards the peak of Mt. Fuji and its central crater
Distribution of volcanic cinders and ash falling across central Honshu after the eruption of Mt. Fuji in Hoei 4 (1707)
Hōei 4, on the 14th day of the 10th month (1707): Great Hōei Earthquake. The city of Osaka suffers tremendously because of a very violent earthquake.[2]
Hōei 6, on the 10th day of the 1st month (1709): The wife of Shogun Tsunayoshi killed him with a knife, and then she stabbed herself in the heart. Tsunayoshi's homosexual interests were aroused by the son of the daimyo of Kai; and his plans to adopt this Tokugawa youth as his successor were known by a few inside Edo castle. The shogun's wife, who was also a daughter of the emperor, foresaw that this choice of a successor would be very poorly received by many; and she feared that it might result in a disastrous civil war. The shogun's wife did everything she could to dissuade Tsunayoshi from continuing with such potentially divisive and dangerous plans; and when it became clear that her persuasive arguments were in vain, she resolutely sacrificed herself for the good of the country -- she killed her husband and then killed herself.[3]
