Eikan (永観) was a Japanese era name (年号, nengō, lit. "year name") after Tengen and before Kanna. This period spanned the years from April 983 through April 985.[1] The reigning emperors were En'yū-tennō (円融天皇) and Kazan-tennō (花山天皇).[2]
Change of era
February 16, 983Eikan gannen (永観元年)]: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events. The previous era ended and a new one commenced in Tengen 6, on the 15th day of the 4th month of 983.[3]
Events of the Eikan era
October 6, 983 (Eikan 1, 27th day of the 8th month): In the 15th year of Emperor En'yu's reign (円融天皇15年), he abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by a nephew. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Kazan is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).[4]
September/October 983 (Eikan 1, 8th month): Chōnen, the Buddhist monk of the Tendai school embarked on a voyage to China accompanied by 5 or 6 disciples.[5]
^Titsingh, p. 148; Brown, pp. 300; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami.