Kan'en (寛延) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Enkyō and before Hōreki. This period started in July 1748 and ended in October 1751. During this time, the emperor was Momozono-tennō (桃園天皇).
Events of the Kan'en Era
Nijo Castle burned in the 2nd year of Kan-en
1748 (Kan'en 1): The first performance of the puppet play Kanadehon Chushingura, which presents a classic story of samurai revenge.
1748 (Kan'en 1): Ambassadors from the Korea and from the Ryukyu Islands were received in Edo.
7 October 1749 (Kan'en 2, 26th day of the 8th month): Nijō Castle was burnt after it was struck by lightning.
28 May 1750 (Kan'en 2, 13th day of the 4th month): Former-Emperor Sakuramachi died.
♯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.