Kokugakuin University (國學院大學; ''Kokugakuin Daigaku'', abbreviated as 國學大 ''Kokugakudai'' or 國大 ''Kokudai'') is a
private university
Private universities and private colleges are institutions of higher education, not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. They may (and often do) receive from governments tax breaks, public student loans, and grant (money ...
, whose main office is in
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.46 ...
's
Shibuya district. The academic programs and research include
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
study,
Japanese history
The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to prehistoric times around 30,000 BC. The Jōmon period, named after its cord-marked pottery, was followed by the Yayoi period in the first millennium BC when new inventi ...
,
Japanese and
Chinese literature and
Community development
The United Nations defines community development as "a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems." It is a broad concept, applied to the practices of civic leaders, activists ...
, as well as the study of
economics
Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics anal ...
,
jurisprudence
Jurisprudence, or legal theory, is the theoretical study of the propriety of law. Scholars of jurisprudence seek to explain the nature of law in its most general form and they also seek to achieve a deeper understanding of legal reasoning ...
and
pedagogy
Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...
. It was established in 1882.
History
From its beginnings as the Office of Japanese Classics Research (an organization created in 1882 to seek deeper meaning in
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
after controversies over certain deities), Kokugakuin University was one of the first universities in
Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the n ...
to gain legal approval to be recognized as such under the university system (which preceded the
Imperial university system, but was repealed in 1947).
The Office of Japanese Classics Research, founded in 1882, in 1890 established a method of teaching the subject of ''
kokugaku
''Kokugaku'' ( ja, 國學, label= Kyūjitai, ja, 国学, label= Shinjitai; literally "national study") was an academic movement, a school of Japanese philology and philosophy originating during the Tokugawa period. Kokugaku scholars worked t ...
'' called Kokugakuin. In 1920, it rose to the status of a university under the old university system, and after
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
it became a university under Japan's current university system in 1948.
Chronology
* 1882, November - The Office of Japanese Classics Research is founded in
Iidabashi
is a district of Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. It was in the former ward of Kōjimachi, which existed in Tokyo until 1947.
Etymology
Iidabashi is named after a nearby bridge called Iida Bridge (, ''Iidabashi''), itself named after an Edo-period fa ...
,
Chiyoda ward
is a special ward located in central Tokyo, Japan. It is known as Chiyoda City in English.[Profi ...]
.
* 1890, July - Kokugakuin is established as an educational institution by The Office of Japanese Classics Research.
* 1898, April - Becomes a juridical foundation.
* 1904, April - Raised to the status of a vocational school according to the vocational school system.
* 1906, June - Renamed to Private Kokugakuin University (私立國學院大學, ''Shiritsu Kokugakuin Daigaku'').
* 1919, September - Renamed to Kokugakuin University (国学院大学, ''Kokugakuin Daigaku'').
* 1920, April - Is regarded as an official university under the university system.
* 1923, May - Moves to the Imperial Estate behind Shibuya Higawa (渋谷氷川裏御料地, ''Shibuya Higawaura Goryōchi'').
* 1946, January - The Office of Japanese Classics Research dissolves.
* 1946, March - Once again is foundationalized and the Kokugakuin University Juridical Foundation is established.
* 1947, April - A second department opens.
* 1948, April - Under the reformed educational system, recognized as a university, department of new system literature opens.
* 1948, September - Amalgamates with Mejiro Academy (目白学園, ''Mejiro Gakuen'').
* 1949, April - A second department of new system literature is opened. Classes begin at the Mejiro branch. The Politics Department is established.
* 1950, April - The Politics Department is reorganized into the Politics and Economics Department.
* 1951, February - Reforms to Kokugakuin University Incorporated.
* 1951, March - The first and specialty old system literature departments are closed.
* 1951, April - The second Politics and Economics Department opens. A post-graduate master's degree program in literature is established.
* 1951, May - A special course in
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
training literature is established.
* 1952, September - Amalgamates with Kugayama Academy (久我山学園 ''Kugayama Gakuen'').
* 1953, March - The second old system literature department is closed. Classes at the Mejiro branch are halted.
* 1953, April - A post-graduate Ph.D. program in literature is established. Classes begin at the Kugayama branch.
* 1955, January - A training program to become a
kindergarten
Kindergarten is a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing, practical activities such as drawing, and social interaction as part of the transition from home to school. Such institutions were originally made in the late 18th cen ...
teacher is opened.
* 1955, July - A Japanese culture research program is established.
* 1958, March - Classes at the Kugayama branch are halted.
* 1958, April - The
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
major program changes to the
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
studies program.
* 1958, July - Tateshina Dormitory (蓼科寮, ''Tateshina Ryō'') opens.
* 1963, April - The first Law Department is established.
* 1965, April - The second Law Department is established.
* 1966, March - The first and second Politics and Economics departments close.
* 1966, April - The Politics and Economics Department is reorganized, the first and second Economics departments are created.
* 1967, April - A post-graduate master's degree program in law is established. The second
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
literature department is opened. Classes commence at the Hachioji (八王子, ''Hachiōji'') branch building.
* 1968, April - A post-graduate master's degree program in economics is established.
* 1969, April - A post-graduate Ph.D. program in law is established.
* 1970, April - A post-graduate Ph.D. program in economics is established.
* 1982, April - Kokugakuin Women's Junior College is opened.
* 1985, March - Classes at the Hachioji branch building are terminated.
* 1985, April - Classes begin at the Shin-Ishikawa (新石川, ''Shin-Ishikawa'') building.
* 1985, November - A monument to the Office of Japanese Classics Research is erected.
* 1987, April - Completed construction of the Shin-In'yū (新院友, ''Shin-In'yū'') meeting hall.
* 1991, April - Kokugakuin Women's Junior College is renamed to Kokugakuin Junior College and is opened to both sexes.
* 1991, September - Hachioji branch building is shut down.
* 1992, April - First and second year classes begin to be held at the Tama Plaza campus.
* 1996, April - Part of the literature department is reorganized into Japanese literature, Chinese literature, and foreign literature sections. In the Economics department, Economic Networking and Industrial Consumption Information sections are created. The Sagamihara (相模原, ''Sagamihara'') campus is opened.
* 2001, April - The system of daytime and evening lectures is introduced for the law and economics departments.
* 2002, April - The literature and
Shinto
Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shint ...
departments are reorganized, and the Shinto Literature department is opened.
* 2002, November - The 120th anniversary since the founding of the Office of Japanese Classics Research is recognized.
* 2003, April - In commemoration of the 120th anniversary, building #1 is constructed.
* 2004, April - A Judicial Studies graduate program (i.e.,
law school
A law school (also known as a law centre or college of law) is an institution specializing in legal education, usually involved as part of a process for becoming a lawyer within a given jurisdiction.
Law degrees Argentina
In Argentina, ...
) is established.
* 2004, July - In commemoration of the 120th anniversary, building #2 is constructed.
* 2005, April - A Management Studies section is created in the Economics department. The system of daytime and evening lectures is introduced for the Japanese literature and history sections of the literature department.
* 2006, June - Construction of the Wakagi (若木, ''Wakagi'') Tower is completed.
* 2022, April - Tourism and Community Development department are created.
Education and research
At Kokugakuin, one can take a course to obtain the qualifications to become a
''kannushi'' (Shinto priest). A course where one can get these qualifications exists only at Kokugakuin University and
Kogakkan University.
Departments
*Literature
**Japanese Literature
**Chinese Literature
**Foreign Literature
**History
**Philosophy
*Economics
**Economics
**Management
*Law
*Shinto Studies
**Shinto Studies
***Daytime lectures
***Evening lectures
*Human Development
**Elementary Education
**Health and Physical Education
**Child Studies
*Tourism and Community Development
Graduate programs
*Literature
**Shinto specialization and history of religions
**Japanese literature specialization
**Japanese history specialization
*Law
*Economics
Professional graduate program
*Judicial Studies (law school)
Special programs
*Shinto Studies Graduate Program
Special courses
*Specialized Training in Shinto Studies
Junior college (two-year programs)
*Japanese literature
*Communications
*Child Education
Affiliated facilities
*Japanese Literature Research Institute
*
Dr. Orikuchi Memorial Ancient Research Institute
*Shinto Reference Facility
*Archaeology Reference Facility
*Dr. Kōno (河野, Kōno) Memorial Room
*Dr. Takeda (武田, Takeda) Memorial Room
People and organizations related to Kokugakuin
People and organizations
Alumni, professors, and others related to the school are known as In'yū (院友, In'yū). There is a graduate's association called the In'yū Association, and a meeting hall called the In'yū Hall at the Shibuya campus. Most Shinto priests at shrines across Japan are In'yū.
List of people associated with Kokugakuin
*
Masumi Asano (born 1977), Japanese seiyu
*
Eiko Kano (born 1982), Japanese comedian and musician
*
Manamo Miyata (born 1998), Japanese singer
*
Momoko Tsugunaga (born 1992), Japanese singer
Facilities
Campuses
There are also facilities in Sagamihara and other areas.
Shibuya campus,
Higashi, Tokyo
is a residential district of the Shibuya ward in Tokyo surrounded by the residential areas of Hiroo, Ebisu, Daikanyama and Aoyama. Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi have their official residence in a palace in large gardens off Komazawad ...
Higashi 4-10-28, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to (東京都渋谷区東四丁目10番28号)
:Closest station is
Shibuya station
is a railway station in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan, operated jointly by East Japan Railway Company (JR East), Keio Corporation, Tokyu Corporation, and Tokyo Metro. With 2.4 million passengers on an average weekday in 2004, it is the fourth-busiest ...
on the
Yamanote line
The Yamanote Line ( ja, 山手線, Yamanote-sen) is a loop service in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo's major stations and urban c ...
.
:The Kokugakuin University Museum is on the Shibuya campus. This museum houses an extensive collection of historical and archeological artifacts as well as special exhibits.
Tama Plaza campus
Shin-Ishikawa 3-22-1, Aoba-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken (神奈川県横浜市青葉区新石川三丁目22番地1)
:Closest station is
Tama-Plaza Station on the
Tōkyū Den-en-toshi Line.
:Has a baseball diamond, sports ground, and tennis courts.
*
Sagamihara City
is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the city has an estimated population of 723,470, with 334,812 households, and a population density of 1,220 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Sagamihara is the third-most-populous cit ...
has tennis courts and other facilities, but while some clubs and circles make use of the facilities, most students do not use the Sagamihara campus.
Agreements with other universities
*Participant in the Western Tokyo University Credit Interchange Agreement
*Participant in the Yokohama City Educational Exchange Conference
*Participant in the Yamanote Line Consortium
Sister Schools
Nihon University
, abbreviated as , is a private research university in Japan. Its predecessor, Nihon Law School (currently the Department of Law), was founded by Yamada Akiyoshi, the Minister of Justice, in 1889. It is one of Japan's leading private universit ...
: This agreement came about when
Nihon University
, abbreviated as , is a private research university in Japan. Its predecessor, Nihon Law School (currently the Department of Law), was founded by Yamada Akiyoshi, the Minister of Justice, in 1889. It is one of Japan's leading private universit ...
's predecessor organization, Nihon Law School, was founded during one night at the Office of Japanese Classics Research. After that, when Kokugakuin's president would change, or when
Nihon University
, abbreviated as , is a private research university in Japan. Its predecessor, Nihon Law School (currently the Department of Law), was founded by Yamada Akiyoshi, the Minister of Justice, in 1889. It is one of Japan's leading private universit ...
's president or board chairman would change, they would go to the partner school to give their greetings. Finally, both parties agreed to begin a sister relationship.
Related schools
The educational institutions in
Tochigi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region of Honshu. Tochigi Prefecture has a population of 1,943,886 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 6,408 km2 (2,474 sq mi). Tochigi Prefecture borders Fukushima Prefecture to th ...
listed below operate independently of Kokugakuin University, and exist under a separate incorporated legal entity.
*Kokugakuin University Inc., Tochigi Campus
**Kokugakuin University Tochigi Junior College
**Kokugakuin University Tochigi Senior High School
**Kokugakuin University Tochigi Junior High School
**Kokugakuin University Tochigi Nisugi (二杉, Nisugi) Kindergarten
Affiliated schools
*Kokugakuin Junior College
*Kokugakuin Senior High School
*Kokugakuin University Kugayama Junior and Senior High School
*Kokugakuin University Kindergarten
*Kokugakuin Kindergarten
*Kokugakuin University Child Education Vocational School
References
Official website
Kokugakuin UniversityKokugakuin University
{{Authority control
Universities and colleges in Tokyo
Private universities and colleges in Japan
Educational institutions established in 1920
Universities and colleges in Kanagawa Prefecture
Western Metropolitan Area University Association
Shinto universities and colleges
1920 establishments in Japan