Kan Chazan (or Sazan) was a prominent kangakusha, or scholar of Chinese studies, in the mid-Edo period.
He was the eldest son of a saké seller, but passed on the family business to his younger brother in 1786, devoting himself more exclusively to his studies. This came after some time spent studying in Kyoto and Osaka before establishing his own private academy (juku) in 1781.
His personal collection is known to have included objects related to the Ryukyuan embassies to Edo.
References
- Ryûkyû shisetsu, Edo e iku! 琉球使節、江戸へ行く！ Naha: Okinawa Prefectural Museum, 2009. p38.