Kangen facts for kids

Kangen (pronounced Kahn-gen) was a special name for a period of time in Japanese history, like how we have years today. It was an era name (年号,, nengō,, lit. "year name"). This period came after the Ninji era and before the Hōji era. The Kangen era lasted for about four years, from February 1243 to February 1247. During this time, the reigning emperor of Japan was Emperor Go-Saga-tennō (後嵯峨天皇).

Key Events of the Kangen Era

A New Shogun is Chosen

• 1244 (Kangen 2, 4th month): A young boy named Kujō Yoritsugu had his coming-of-age ceremony. He was only 6 years old at the time! In the same month, his father, Yoritsune, asked Emperor Go-Saga for permission to make Yoritsugu the new shogun. A shogun was a powerful military leader who often ruled Japan, even more than the emperor.

A Shogun Becomes a Priest

• September 11, 1245 (Kangen 3, 7th month): Yoshitsune, who was a shogun before, decided to shave his head and become a Buddhist priest. This was a common way for powerful people to retire from public life in those times.

A Young Shogun Marries

• 1246 (Kangen 4, 7th month): Yoritsune's son, Yoritsugu, was now the shogun. Even though he was only 7 years old, he got married! His wife was the sister of Hōjō Tsunetoki, who was a very important leader in the government.

Emperor Go-Saga Steps Down

• 1246 (Kangen 4): In the fourth year of Emperor Go-Saga's rule, he decided to step down from being emperor. This is called abdication. His son, who was only 4 years old, then took over. This process of taking over the emperor's role is called senso. Soon after, the young son, Emperor Go-Fukakusa, officially became emperor with special ceremonies called sokui.

Related Pages

• Kamakura period

External Links

• National Diet Library, "The Japanese Calendar" -- historical overview plus illustrative images from library's collection

See also

In Spanish: Kangen para niños