Kaei

Kaei (嘉永) was a Japanese era after Kōka and before Ansei and spanned from February 28 (?), 1848 to November 27 (?), 1854. The reigning emperor was Kōmei.

Change of Era

To commemorate the start of the reign of Kōmei, on February 28 (?), Kōka 5 (1848), the era was changed to Kaei (roughly "Eternal esteem"?)

Source of Name

From The Book of the Song Dynasty "思皇享多祐、嘉楽永無央" (A wise Emperor receives much help, One who esteems comfort is on the outside???)

Important Events of the Kaei Era

• Kaei 6 (1853) – Commodore Perry, leading America's East Indies fleet, arrives, June 3, with four ships
• Kaie 7 (1854) – Having temporarily left, Perry returns to Edo Bay to conclude the Treaty of Kanagawa

Kaei	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th
Gregorian	1848	1849	1850	1851	1852	1853	1854