Saikō (斉衡) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name") after Ninju and before Ten'an. This period started in November 854[1] and ended in February 857.[2] During this time, the emperor was Montoku-tennō (文徳天皇).[3]
21 April 854 (Saikō 1, 13th day of the 6th month): Minamoto no Tokiwa, also known as Minamoto no Tsune, died at age 43.[4] He was a son of Emperor Saga and he was one of the editors of the Nihon kōki.[5]
855 (Saikō 2, 1st month): An Emishi uprising in the north was met with military force.[6]
855 (Saikō 2, 5th month): The head of the great statute of Buddha in the Tōdai-ji fell off. Donations were collected to pay for making another head for the Daibutsu.[6]
♯The Northern pretenders did not recognize the Genkō era. Gentoku was used in the Northern Court until 1332. ₪The Shōkyō era was recognized only by the Northern pretenders, not by the Southern Court. ‡ Upon reunification of the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, Genchū was discontinued. Meitoku was used until 1394.