was a after Bunji and before Shōji. This period spanned the years from April 1190 through April 1199. The reigning emperor was .

Change of era

  • 1190 : 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 Bunji 6, on the 14th day of the 8th month of 1185.

Events of the Kenkyū era

  • 1192 (Kenkyū 3, 13th day of the 3rd month): The former-Emperor Go-Shirakawa died at the age of 66.
  • 1192 (Kenkyū 3, 12th day of the 7th month): Minamoto no Yoritomo is named commander-in-chief of the forces to fight the barbarians.
  • 1195 (Kenkyū 6, 4th day of the 3rd month): Shōgun Yoritomo revisits the capital.
  • 1198 (Kenkyū 9, 3rd month): Emperor Tsuchimikado is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
  • 1199 (Kenkyū 10, 13th day of the 1st month): Shōgun Yoritomo dies at age 53 in Kamakura.