Jōwa (Muromachi period)

The Jōwa era (貞和) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō, literally "year name") that spanned the years from February 1349 to November 27, 1352. It occurred during the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami of the Southern Court and Emperor Sukō of the Northern Court. The emperors of the Southern Court considered this to be the 2nd through 5th years of their reign. The emperor of the Northern Court considered this to be the 2nd through 5th years of his reign.

The era was preceded by the Shōhei era and followed by the Kannō era.

The name Jōwa was derived from a passage in the Book of the Later Han: "With steadfastness, assist the Sovereign in bringing peace to the people; this is the most important virtue of a minister." (以貞Assist the Sovereign in bringing peace to the people, 協和和萬國、致太平之致)

During the Jōwa era, notable events included continued conflict between the Northern and Southern Courts during the Nanboku-chō period. Ashikaga Takauji continued his position as shōgun.