Kangen (寛元) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Ninji and before Hōji. This period started in February 1243 and ended in February 1247. The reigning emperor was Go-Saga-tennō (後嵯峨天皇).
Events of the Kangen era
1244 (Kangen 2, 4th month): Kujō Yoritsugu had his coming-of-age ceremonies at age 6. In the same month, Yoritsune asked Emperor Go-Saga for permission to make Yoritsugu the new shogun.
11 September 1245 (Kangen 3, 7th month): Yoshitsune shaved his head and became a Buddhist priest.
1246 (Kangen 4, 7th month): Yoritsune's son, now Shogun Yoritsugu (who is only 7 years old) marries the sister of Hōjō Tsunetoki.
1246 (Kangen 4): In the 4th year of Go-Saga's reign, the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his 4-year-old son. Soon after, Emperor Go-Fukakusa's role as emperor is confirmed by ceremonies (sokui).
♯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.