1644

Kan'ei 21 (寛永二十一年) / Shôhô 1 (正保元年)

Timeline of 1644

• Kanei 21/12 Two Rykuyan embassies journey to Edo.

Other Events of 1644

• Beijing falls to Manchu invasion; Ming Dynasty succeeded by Qing Dynasty.
• Ayutthaya dispatches an envoy to request the resumption of trade and relations with Japan. The ship succumbs to typhoon or inclement weather and never makes it to Japan.
• The shogunate lifts the ban on onnagata on the kabuki stage, under the provisions that there be a distinction between the onnagata and those who play male roles, that the genders of the actors be known, and that nothing be done onstage to confuse the audience as to the gender of the actors.
• The shogunate forbids kabuki and ningyô jôruri plays from using the names of contemporary figures of importance.
• The Yoshiwara burns down.

Births and Deaths

• Matsuo Bashô, haikai and haiku poet, born (d. 1694).

Previous Year 1643

1644

Following Year 1645