Named for Ryokan (1758–1831), a famous Buddhist monk of the Zen sect and a poet during the Edo era. He was born in Echigo (present-day Niigata Prefecture). When young, he was trained at the temple of Entsuji {see planet (4272)}, near the birthplace of the first discoverer. (M 26764) _ _.
Discovered on 26-1-1982 in Kiso by Kosai, H., Hurukawa, K.