Kennin (建仁) was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Shōji and before Genkyū. This period started in February 1201 and ended in February 1204. The reigning emperor was Tsuchimikado-tennō (土御門天皇).
Events of the Kennin era
One of three Kumano poems (熊野懐紙, Kumano kaishi) written by Emperor Go-Daigo on a pilgrimage to Kumano in the 1st year of Kennin
1202 (Kennin 2, 1st month): Nitta Yoshishige died. He was the deputy director for cuisine for the Dairi (大炊助) in the palace. His court rank was 2nd rank of the 5th class (従五位下).
1202 (Kennin 2, 7th month): Minamoto no Yoriie was raised to the 2nd rank of the 2nd class; and he was named the 2nd shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.
1202 (Kennin 2, 10th month): The naidaijinMinamoto no Michichika died at 54; and his court position was then filled by dainagon Fujiwara no Takatada.
1202 (Kennin 2): On orders from Shogun Minamoto no Yoriie, the monk Eisai founded Kennin-ji, a Zen temple and monastery.
1203 (Kennin 3, 8th month): Shogun Yoriie fell gravely ill.
1203 (Kennin 3, 9th month): Yoriie shaved his head and became a Buddhist priest; and the emperor named Minamoto no Sanetomo as the 3rd shogun.Hōjō Tokimasa became Sanetomo's shikken (regent).
♯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.