Ōei (応永) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name") after Meitoku and before Shōchō. This period started in July 1394 and ended in April 1428.[1] During this time, the emperors were Go-Komatsu-tennō (後小松天皇,)[2] and Shōkō-tennō (称光天皇).[3]
Events of the Ōei era
27 August 1394 (Ōei 1, 1st day of the 7th month): Former-Emperor Chōkei died.[4]
1398 (Ōei 5): Kinkaku-ji or "Gold Pavillion" is built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.[5]
1401 (Ōei 8, 2nd month): The Imperial Palace was destroyed by fire.[7]
1402 (Ōei 9): A letter from the emperor of China was received by Yoshimitsu; and this formal communication mistakenly gives the title "king of Japan" to the Japanese shogun.[8]
♯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.