Kangi famine
1230 CE.
Shown on the map at 35.012°, 135.768°.
The Kanki famine (寛喜の飢饉, Kanki no kikin), also spelled as Kangi famine, was a famine which affected Japan during the Kamakura period. The famine is considered to have begun in 1229/1230 and lasted until 1231/1232. It was named after the Kangi era (1229–1232), during the reign of Emperor Go-Horikawa. The shogun of Japan was Kujō Yoritsune. The famine was severe throughout Japan. It was caused by cold weather caused probably by volcanic eruptions, coupled later with a general breakdown of society. The early 1200s were a cold period in Japan, especially from 1225–1228. In 1229, it seems a failed harvest followed a drought, resulting in a shortage of food. As the excessive rains, cold spells and blizzards destroyed crops in July 1230, the shortage developed into famine, and people started to die en masse in September 1230. The lack of sunlight caused cold so severe, winter clothing was necessary in spring and summer. The relief efforts by Emperor and Shogunate were generally ineffective, as no food was available at all.
Text from the Wikipedia article Kanki famine, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.