* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Enpō Era
延宝（えんぽう）
Enpō (1673–1681) was an early Edo nengō. A blade by Ōmi no Kami Takagi Sukenao, inscribed with the Enpō 6 date (1678), is recorded as held by the Tokyo National Museum.
Description
The Nengō "Enpō"
Enpō (延宝) was in use from 1673 (Kanbun 13, the 21st day of the 9th month, 30 October 1673 in the Western calendar) until it was changed to Tenna in 1681 (Enpō 9, the 29th day of the 9th month, 9 November 1681). The change was made because of disasters, including a great fire in Kyoto. Five scholars, including a monjō hakase (Professor of Letters), submitted seventeen proposals, which were narrowed to eight and presented to the shogunate. The shogunate adopted Enpō.
A Dated Blade
The blade is inscribed 「近江守高木住助直／延宝六歳九月吉日」. The date is Enpō 6 (1678). The quantity is one blade, and it is held by the Tokyo National Museum.
Characteristics of This Era
- Enpō (1673–1681), changed from Kanbun on the 21st day of the 9th month of Kanbun 13 (30 October 1673) and to Tenna on the 29th day of the 9th month of Enpō 9 (9 November 1681)
- A blade inscribed 「延宝六歳九月吉日」 by Ōmi no Kami Takagi Sukenao, held by the Tokyo National Museum
- The change of era was prompted by disasters, including a great fire in Kyoto