Taichang (Chinese: 泰昌; pinyin: Tàichāng; Wade–Giles: T'ai-ch'ang; lit. 'grand prosperity'; 28 August 1620 – 21 January 1621) was the era name (nianhao) of the Taichang Emperor, the 15th emperor of the Ming dynasty. On 28 August 1620 (Wanli 48, 1st day of the 8th month), after the Taichang Emperor ascended to the throne, he continued to use the Wanli era name, and issued an edict that on 22 January 1621 (New Year's Day of the second year, Xinyou) the era would be changed to Taichang. However, the Taichang Emperor fell ill shortly after his enthronement, and died on 26 September 1620 (1st day of the 9th month), reigned for only 30 days. On 1 October of the same year (6th day of the 9th month), after the Tianqi Emperor ascended to the throne, he issued an edict that "the first year of the Taichang era" (泰昌元年) would be from 28 August 1620 (1st day of the 8th month) to 21 January 1621 (New Year's Eve, 29th day of the 12th month). On 22 January 1621 (New Year's Day of the second year, Xinyou), the era was changed to Tianqi. Therefore, the era name "Taichang" was only used for four months.^[1][2]

Comparison table

Other regimes' era names that existed during the same period

• China
  • Tianming (天命, 1616–1626): Later Jin—era name of Nurhaci
• Vietnam
  • Vĩnh Tộ (永祚, 1619–1629): Later Lê dynasty—era name of Lê Thần Tông
  • Long Thái (隆泰, 1618–1625): Mạc dynasty—era name of Mạc Kính Khoan
• Japan
  • Genna (元和, 1615–1624): era name of Emperor Go-Mizunoo