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The Great Tenmei Famine was one of the worst famines of the [[Edo period]], lasting from [[1782]] to [[1787]] or so in most parts of Japan, though beginning earlier or ending later in other parts. The famine, combined with the [[1783]] eruption of [[Mt. Asama]], was seen as a bad omen indicating the immoral or unvirtuous nature of rule at that time; these attitudes are generally said to have contributed to the ousting of [[Tairo|Tairô]] [[Tanuma Okitsugu]] from power.

The Great Tenmei Famine was one of the worst famines of the [[Edo period]], lasting from [[1782]] to [[1787]] or so in most parts of Japan, though beginning earlier or ending later in other parts. The famine, combined with the [[1783]] eruption of [[Mt. Asama]], was seen as a bad omen indicating the immoral or unvirtuous nature of rule at that time; these attitudes are generally said to have contributed to the ousting of [[Tairo|Tairô]] [[Tanuma Okitsugu]] from power.

The famine began in many areas in 1782. The following year, unseasonable cold and rain, combined with ash and other impacts from the eruption of Mt. Asama, devastated crops in many areas of the archipelago. [[Yonezawa han]] saw crop losses of nearly 50 percent; in [[1786]], the domain suffered another hit, with 35% crop losses.<ref>[[Mark Ravina]], ''Land and Lordship in Early Modern Japan'', Stanford University Press (1999), 96-97.</ref>

The famine began in many areas in 1782. The following year, unseasonable cold and rain, combined with ash and other impacts from the eruption of Mt. Asama, devastated crops in many areas of the archipelago. [[Yonezawa han]] saw crop losses of nearly 50 percent; in [[1786]], the domain suffered another hit, with 35% crop losses. The price of rice rose in Yonezawa by 130% just between 1783 and [[1784]], and over the course of the five or so years of the famine, over 4,000 people either died or fled the domain. Yet, Yonezawa was one of the least heavily affected domains.<ref>[[Mark Ravina]], ''Land and Lordship in Early Modern Japan'', Stanford University Press (1999), 96-97.</ref>

In many areas, regular harvests finally returned in 1787, marking the end of the famine.

In many areas, regular harvests finally returned in 1787, marking the end of the famine.