Genroku (元禄) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Jōkyō and before Hōei. This period started in September 1688 and ended in March 1704. During this time, the emperor was Higashiyama-tennō (東山天皇).
Map of Kyoto published in the Genroku era.
The years of Genroku are generally considered to be the Golden Age of the Edo period. A century of peace and seclusion created good economic conditions and cultural growth.
1703 (Genroku 16, 5th month): First performance of Chikamatsu Monzaemon's play The Love Suicides at Sonezaki (Sonezaki shinjū).
31 December 1703 (Genroku 16, 23rd day of the 11th month): The Great Genroku Earthquake shook Edo. Fire spread in the city. The coast of Honshū was hit by tsunami.
♯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.