Kengen

Kengen (乾元), also known as Kangen or Ken'ei, was a Japanese era (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name") after Shōan and before Kagen. This period started in November 1302 and ended in August 1303. During this time, the emperor was Go-Nijō-tennō (後二条天皇).

Events of the Kengen era

• 1302 (Kengen 1): The central structure of Shin-Yakushi-ji Buddhist temple complex was repaired during the Kengen Era. It is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Japan. It still has some of its original woodwork from its 8th century construction.
• 1302 (Kengen 1, 6th month): Emperor Go-Nijō made a formal visit to the retirement home of his grandfather, the former Emperor Kameyama. Late the same night, Kameyama sent a poem to his grandson in the Imperial palace. Emperor Go-Nijō responded with a poem:

English translation

When I raised my eyes

unable to bear the thought

of saying goodbye,

the moon had hidden its light

in the realm above the clouds.

Romaji transliteration

shitawaruru

nagori ni taezu

tsuki o mireba

kumo no ue ni zo

kage wa narinuru

Beyond numbering

will be the occasions

when we two will meet

for you are surely destined

to live a thousand years.

kimi wa yoshi

chitose no yawai

tameotereba

aimin koto no

kazu mo shirarezu

Related pages

• Kamakura period

Other websites

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar"

Kengen	1st	2nd
	1302	1303

Preceded by: Shōan

Era or nengō: Kengen

Succeeded by: Kagen