Hongzhi (Chinese: 弘治; pinyin: Hóngzhì; Wade–Giles: Hung-chih; lit. 'great governance'; 14 January 1488 – 23 January 1506) was the era name (nianhao) of the Hongzhi Emperor, the tenth emperor of the Ming dynasty, lasting for 18 years. During the Hongzhi era, the Ming dynasty experienced a period of political stability and economic growth, known in historiography as the "Hongzhi Restoration" (弘治中興).
On 19 June 1505 (Hongzhi 18, 18th day of the 5th month), the Zhengde Emperor ascended to the throne and continued to use the Hongzhi era name. The following year, the era was changed to Zhengde.[1][2]
- ^ Li, Chongzhi (December 2004). 中國歷代年號考 [Zhongguo Lidai Nianhao Kao] (in Chinese). Beijing: Zhonghua Book Co. p. 207. ISBN 978-7-101-02512-5.
- ^ History of Ming, Volume 17:〔弘治〕十八年五月，孝宗崩。壬寅，即皇帝位。以明年為正德元年，大赦天下。