Genji (元治) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Bunkyū and before Keiō. This period spanned only slightly more than a single year from February 1864 through April 1865. The reigning emperor was Kōmei-tennō (孝明天皇).
British capture cannon at Shimonoseki in the 1st year of Genji
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8 July 1864 (Genji 1, 5th day of the 6th month): Skirmish at Ikedaya near Kyoto, also known as Ikedaya Jiken or Ikedaya Incident. Samurai supporting the emperor clashed with police forces of the Tokugawa shogunate.
12 August 1864 (Genji 1, 11th day of the 7th month): Sakuma Shōzan is assassinated at age 53. Anti-shogunate (sonno joi) forces were responsible for his death.
♯The Northern pretenders did not recognize the Genkō era. Gentoku was used in the Northern Court until 1332. ₪The Shōkyō era was recognized only by the Northern pretenders, not by the Southern Court. ‡ Upon reunification of the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, Genchū was discontinued. Meitoku was used until 1394.