Flickering fire in the northwest and southeast, Japan, 26 to 27 February 1263

Nihon Temmon Shiryo, Kocho year 3, month 1, days 17 and 18, via Yau et al. 1995 entry 288: 'At the hour of the dog (7 to 9 pm) the northwest and southeast were as if in flames. When the light in one corner was bright, the light in another was dim, and the reverse. The onlookers were bewildered.' The next night: 'In the northwest and southeast the brightness was like the night before.' Lights that brighten and fade in turn across the sky is a textbook description of an aurora. Day names checked: wu-xu and ji-hai fall on 26 and 27 February 1263.