Koten Kokyusho established

“Koten Kokyusho,” the parent institution of Kokugakuin University, was established in 1882. Arisugawa no Miya Takahito Shinnō (Prince Arisugawa), was the first Controller General. The institution was located in Iidamachi, Kojimachi-ku, Tokyo (present-day Iidabashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). Classes commenced on September 1 and the opening ceremony was held on November 4. This was where our university took its very first steps in public.

The Iidamachi Campus of Koten Kokyusho (early 20th century)

Arisugawa no Miya Takahito Shinnō (Prince Arisugawa),

Member of the Imperial Family and first Controller General of Koten Kokyusho

1812–1886

Arisugawa no Miya Takahito Shinnō (Prince Arisugawa) was the eighth head of the Arisugawa-no-Miya household, one of the four “shinnoke” cadet branches of the Imperial Household of Japan that were entitled to provide a successor to the imperial throne. He was promoted to the rank of Ippon (the “first order” of imperial princes) as a result of his achievements in his position as Emperor Meiji’s calligraphy instructor, and it was he who was tasked with writing out the official copy of the Meiji Charter Oath. He had a deep affinity with Shinto, and soon after the Meiji Restoration (1868) he was appointed as the first Governor General of the Shinto Section (Jingi Jimuka), then in 1881 he was appointed as the Controller General of the Office of Preceptors (kyōdōshoku). In February 1882 he assumed the position of the first Controller General of the Koten Kokyusho with the aim of training personnel to work in the Shinto field and contributing to the research of Japan’s classical literature, and he devoted himself to the founding, maintenance, and development of the institution. The Official Notice he issued at the Koten Kokyusho inauguration ceremony on November 4 of the same year provided the basis for Kokugakuin University’s founding philosophy. The Official Notice called for acquiring the deep understanding of the essential nature of Japan based on traditional culture through the clarification of Japan’s national characteristics as well as the cultivation and nurturing of people’s personalities.

Prince Arisugawa Takahito’s Official Notice

Takemichi Koga

Nobleman, marquis, and first vice-president of the Koten Kokyusho

1815–1903

Descended from the Murakami Genji branch of the Imperial Family, the Koga house was a court noble family of the very highest pedigree, ranked below only the five families of the Fujiwara clan (Gosekke), and Takemichi was the 34th head of the household. He held the post of high priest of Kamowake-Ikazuchi Shrine and Kamomioya Shrine. In 1882 he accepted an invitation to become the vice-president of the Koten Kokyusho from the Controller General of the institution, Prince Arisugawa. He devoted himself for a long time to the development of the Koten Kokyusho and Kokugakuin until his death in 1903. Beginning in 1931, sets of documents relating to the Koga house were entrusted to Kokugakuin University on three separate occasions, and in 1951 these were donated to Kokugakuin. In 1988 the majority of these documents (2,461 of them) were designated by the government as “Important Cultural Properties.”

The former site of the Iidamachi campus (location indicated on a contemporary map of the area)

Establishment of a Shinto priest training faculty

Shinto priest training workshops, which had been held since 1900, were reorganized and a Shinto priest training faculty (with a Shinto priest practical learning department, Shinto priest theory department, and Shinto ritual theory department) was established.

Mizuhokai launched

Koten Kokyusho’s alumni association, Mizuhokai, was launched. The Kokugakuin University Alumni Association traces its roots back to the launch of the Mizuhokai.

The birth of Kokugakuin

In July, “Kokugakuin,” an educational organization formed to engage in research into Japanese history, literature, and law (undergraduate course: 3 years, graduate course: 2 years), was established with Koten Kokyusho as its parent institution. This was the first appearance of the name “Kokugakuin.”

Akiyoshi Yamada

Statesman, count, first director of Koten Kokyusho

1844–1892

Born in Nagato Province (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture). At the age of 14 he entered Shoin Yoshida’s Shokasonjuku Academy, and after Yoshida was sentenced to death, Yamada worked with Shinsaku Takasugi and others on launching the movement advocating the restoration of imperial rule and overthrow of the Shogunate. He applied what he learned about Western military tactics, particularly from Masujiro Omura, to the establishment of a modern military system following the Meiji Restoration. From 1874 onward he served as vice-minister (Shiho-taifu) and administrator (Shiho-kyo) at the Ministry of Justice, devoting himself to the establishment of Japan’s modern legal system. With the introduction of the cabinet system in 1885 he was appointed as the first Minister of Justice. Prior to this, in 1882, as an administrator of the Ministry of Justice he was involved in the creation of the Koten Kokyusho. In 1888 he gave a talk at the Koten Kokyusho on the importance of Japanese culture in Japan’s constitutional governance. In 1889 he was appointed as the Koten Kokyusho’s first head. In 1890 he published the Kokugakuin’s founding charter, which led to the establishment of Kokugakuin with the Koten Kokyusho as its parent institution.

Isao Matsuno

Japan studies scholar and secretary of research at Koten Kokyusho

1852–1893

A Japan studies scholar from Bingo Province (present-day Hiroshima Prefecture). In 1872, he set his aim and moved to Tokyo, and he became a servant and student of Kanetane Hirata, the successor of Atsutane Hirata. He was involved in the creation of Shinto and Japan studies research/educational institutions such as the Shinto Office’s student dormitory and the Jingu Kyoin Honkyoin (Grand Shrine Teaching Institute’s main teaching hall). In 1882 he carried out a variety of tasks relating to the opening of Koten Kokyosho as the person placed in charge of the institution’s establishment. In 1890 he assisted Akiyoshi Yamada, the first director of the Koten Kokyusho, by drafting the founding charter of the Koten Kokyusho for example, and played an important role in the establishment of Kokugakuin. Following the establishment of the Koten Kokyusho and Kokugakuin, he continued to be a central figure on the operational side of both institutions and devoted his energies to their maintenance and development. In 1922, thirty years after his death, a biography entitled “Matsuno Isao Sensei” was penned by Shigematsu Mitsuya, a member of the very first Kokugakuin student class, and professor of Kokugakuin University. In the biography, Professor Shigematsu paid tribute to Mr. Matsuno in the following manner: “As long as Koten Kokyusho and Kokugakuin University continue to exist, Matsuno Sensei’s name will not be forgotten, and his achievements will endure.”

Kowashi Inoue

Statesman, public official, and viscount

1844–1895

As a statesman and public official in the Meiji government, Viscount Inoue contributed to the drafting of the Meiji Constitution, the Meiji Imperial Household Law, and the Imperial Rescript on Education, and was also involved in the establishment of a variety of policies and legislation relating to the modernization of Japan. Together with Akiyoshi Yamada, he played an important role in the development of the Koten Kokyusho and Kokugakuin in the early days through, for example, giving talks at the Koten Kokyusho on the idea that studying the law of a nation would be the foundation of constitutional government and national education, and his involvement in revisions to Kokugakuin’s founding charter. His archival collection of materials, the “Goin” collection (“Goin” was his penname) was entrusted on a permanent basis to Kokugakuin University’s library in 1957 and donated in 1983, and is stored in the library’s archives.

First issue of the “Kokugakuin Zasshi” journal published

Koten Kokyusho certified as an “incorporated foundation”

Kokugakuin renamed “Shiritsu Kokugakuin” (shiritsu=private)

In April, the institution was promoted to the status of vocational college in accordance with a Vocational Colleges Edict and was renamed “Shiritsu Kokugakuin” (university preparatory course: 2 years, undergraduate course: 3 years)

Renamed “Shiritsu Kokugakuin Daigaku”

In June, Kokugakuin was renamed “Shiritsu Kokugakuin Daigaku” (Kokugakuin private university) in accordance with a public notice of the Ministry of Education.

Promoted to the status of university in accordance with a Universities Edict

In accordance with an edict on April 15, Kokugakuin was promoted to the status of university making it a member of the first group of private institutions to be certified as universities (the others being Keio Gijuku, Waseda, Meiji, Chuo, Nihon, Hosei, and Doshisha).

The Shibuya campus during Japan’s Taisho period (1912 to 1926)

New campus constructed on imperial property in Shibuya

The number of students was increasing and plans for a largescale campus expansion got underway in 1918. The new building was completed in May 1923 on imperial property in Shibuya (the same site as the present-day campus) and classes commenced in June. Although the building suffered damage from the Great Kanto Earthquake in September, the following year the repair work was completed and the official school song and flag were selected. The university continued to grow and develop steadily into the 1930s and 1940s.

A postcard commemorating the post-earthquake restoration of the campus.

Library opening ceremony held

The library, which opened in 1927.

Yaichi Haga

Scholar of literature

1867–1927

The son of a Japan studies scholar. After returning to Japan from studying in Germany, he applied German philological methods to Japan studies and built the foundations for research into modern Japanese literature. He is extolled as the father of Japanese literature scholarship. He worked as a professor at Tokyo Imperial University (the present-day University of Tokyo), earned a PhD in literature in 1903, and later became a professor emeritus at Tokyo Imperial University. In 1918 he assumed the role of president of Kokugakuin University, and worked toward enabling Kokugakuin to gain promotion to the status of university in accordance with the Universities Edict in 1920, and oversaw the move from the Iidamachi (Iidabashi) campus to the current location in Shibuya. He also wrote the lyrics to Kokugakuin University’s official song. In 1927 he was awarded the First Class Order of the Sacred Treasure. Today he is regarded as one of the forefathers responsible for Kokugakuin’s revival, and a bust of his likeness is now situated just inside the main gate on the left.

Construction work on the great auditorium completed

Panorama of the Shibuya campus (photograph taken between 1935 and 1945)

Iwakichi Ishikawa

Educator

1875–1960

A member of the third student class at Kokugakuin. Graduated in 1895. He taught Japanese ethics and national morals, and was involved in the operational/administrational side of Kokugakuin University. At the recommendation of Dean Jugo Sugiura, he tutored members of the Imperial Household, and in 1936, as a Togufuikukan (an educational expert for the Crown Prince), he was responsible for tutoring Crown Prince Akihito, who is now the reigning Emperor of Japan. He became the head director/president of Kokugakuin University at the height of the confusion in the immediate aftermath of WWII, and devoted himself to the maintenance and development of the university. After resigning from the post he was bestowed the title of honorary president. Today, he is regarded as one of the forefathers responsible for Kokugakuin’s revival, and a bust of his likeness has been placed in the university grounds.

Kunio Yanagita

Japanese folklorist

1875–1962

Yanagita is the founder of Japanese folklore studies. He joined the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, and while serving as the chief of the recording section of the Chief Cabinet Secretary and Chief Secretary of the House of Peers, he published a book called “Tono Monogatari” that focused on traditional folklore and also launched Japan’s first folklore journal, “Kyodo Kenkyu.” After quitting public office he served as a guest editorialist for the Asahi Shimbun newspaper and worked for a time in Geneva as a member of the League of Nations Permanent Mandates Commission. In 1951 he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit and in the same year also lectured on Shinto Studies as a professor at the Graduate School of Letters of Kokugakuin University.

Night courses commenced

Shinobu Orikuchi

Japanese folklorist

1887–1953

Orikuchi opened up new ground in the field of Japanese folklore studies and this area of learning is called “Orikuchi-gaku,” or, “Orikuchi-ism.” He had an affinity from a young age for poetry, kabuki and other mediums, and at Kokugakuin University he studied under Shigematsu Mitsuya. He became the leading disciple of Kunio Yanagita and followed the path of folklore studies. His study approach involved applying the research methods of folklore studies to Japan studies with the aim of grasping how the heart and soul of the Japanese people has been transmitted from ancient to modern times. In 1919 he became a Kokugakuin University lecturer and later a professor, and from 1928 also worked as a professor at Keio University. Under the penname Shakuchoku he also engaged in a wide range of creative activities including the writing of tanka, poetry, and novels.

Faculty of Letters established under a new system

Kokugakuin High School established, incorporating Mejiro Academy

Faculty of Letters night courses and the establishment of the Faculty of Political Science (renamed “Faculty of Politics and Economics” in 1950)

Classes commence at the Mejiro campus and the Faculty of Political Science established there

Archaeology resources room opened

Master’s Course in Japanese History established at the Graduate School. Archaeology resources room was opened (in 1955 the Ministry of Education issued a proclamation designating the resources room as a facility corresponding to a museum).

Kugayama Gakuen (Kugayama High School and Kugayama Junior High School) incorporated into Kokugakuin

Kokugakuin University kindergarten teacher training facility established. Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics established

The Kokugakuin University kindergarten teacher training facility established (now called the Training College of Infant Education Attached to Kokugakuin University). Institute for Japanese Culture and Classics was established.

Shinto Program (Advanced Shinto Training Course) and Shinto Studies Doctoral Program established

Tateshina Dormitory opened

Dr. Orikuchi Memorial Ancient Research Institute established

Law Department night courses commenced. The Dr. Orikuchi Memorial Ancient Research Institute was established. The Dr. Takeda Memorial Room was subsequently opened in 1966, and the Dr. Kono Memorial Room was opened in 1970.

Master’s program in economics research established

Kokugakuin Kindergarten opened

Shibuya campus (in 1969)

Kokugakuin University kindergarten teacher training facility reorganized into the Training College of Infant Education Attached to Kokugakuin University

Kokugakuin University kindergarten teacher training facility (a vocational school) was reorganized into the Training College of Infant Education attached to Kokugakuin University (a specialized training college).

Construction of the Hyakushunen Kinenkan completed

Construction of Hyakushunen Kinenkan (Centennial Hall) completed. Shin-Ishikawa school building constructed at the Kanagawa Undojo.

Construction of the Shin-Ishikawa schoolhouse (the present-day Yokohama Tama-Plaza Campus) completed and classes commenced

Installation of a monument marking the site of the Koten Kokyusho in collaboration with Nihon University (Iidabashi 3-5-5, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)

Monument marking the site of the Koten Kokyusho

Shrine established

The shrine at the time of its establishment

50th anniversary ceremony held

The 50th anniversary was held on November 4, and was attended by His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu (Takamatsu-no-Miya Nobuhito).

The 50th anniversary ceremony

The Kokugakuin University “incorporated foundation” established

Koten Kokyusho was dissolved and the Kokugakuin University incorporated foundation was established. Kokugakuin was ahead of other universities in instituting a coeducational system.

Yukichi Takeda

Literary scholar

1886–1958

Graduated from Kokugakuin University. He was involved in the compilation of the “Kohon Manyoshu” at Tokyo Imperial University (the present-day University of Tokyo). In 1926 he became a Kokugakuin University professor and in the same year, he was awarded the Silver Cup with the Chrysanthemum Crest for his achievement in discovering compelling documentation relating to the reign of Emperor Chokei. In 1950 he was awarded the Japan Academy Prize for his research into revisions to the Manyoshu. His steady and consistent research based on philological methodologies made a significant contribution to research into the Manyoshu and other ancient works of literature.

Professor Yukichi Takeda teaching a class (1957)

Transition to an “incorporated educational institution”

The “incorporated foundation” was dissolved and the incorporated educational institution Kokugakuin University was established. Faculty of Political Science and Economics night courses commenced. Graduate School of Letters master’s courses in Japanese literature and Shinto studies were established.

Graduate School of Letters doctoral courses in Japanese literature and Japanese history established

Kindergarten Attached to Kokugakuin University opened

Kokugakuin University Tochigi High School opened

Kokugakuin University Tochigi High School opened (the school became an affiliated independent educational body called “Kokugakuin University Tochigi Educational Institution” in 1963).

Kanagawa Undojo opened

Kanagawa Undojo (a sports facility) was opened and physical education-related classes commenced.

Faculty of Law and the Shinto resources room established

The Faculty of Law was established to mark Kokugakuin’s 80th anniversary. The Shinto resources room was opened.

Faculty of Politics and Economics reorganized into the Faculty of Economics with day and night courses

Sadafumi Fujii

Historian

1906–1994

A specialist in early modern and modern Japanese history. After graduating from Kokugakuin University he became a Meiji Restoration historiographer and worked on compiling the Dai Nihon Ishin Siryo (a compilation of historical resources on the Meiji restoration of Japan). During WWII he worked as a professor at Jakarta Medical University and after the war he joined the National Diet Library. In 1952 he became a professor at Kokugakuin University where he carried out wide-ranging research from Japanese studies to the early modern and modern history of Japanese thought, and was also involved in compiling the history of Kokugakuin University.

Doctoral program established in the Graduate School of Economics

Archaeology Resources Room renamed as the Museum of Archaeology

Kokugakuin Women’s Junior College opened

On November 4, the 100th anniversary commemoration ceremony was held and was attended by His Imperial Highness Prince Takamatsu (Takamatsu-no-Miya Nobuhito). Kokugakuin Women’s Junior College opened in Takikawa City, Hokkaido.

The 100th anniversary commemoration ceremony

Construction work on the Shin Inyu Kaikan Hall completed.

100th anniversary of the Kokugakuin Declaration

Beginning of classes at Tama-Plaza Campus for first and second year students of all faculties

Yokohama Tama-Plaza Campus

115th anniversary commemorated

Transition of the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Economics to a flexible day and evening lecture system

Construction work on Building No.1 to commemorate the 120th anniversary completed in February

Construction work on Building No.1 completed

Law School opened. Construction work on Building No. 2 to commemorate the 120th anniversary completed in July

Construction work on Building No. 2 completed

125th anniversary commemorated. Organization for the Advancement of Research and Development launched in April

Construction work on Academic Media Center completed

Construction work on the Academic Media Center (a six-story building with two basement levels) was completed in March. In April the Faculty of Law switched to a seven-period system.

Construction work on the Academic Media Center completed

Department of Japanese Literature switched to a seven-period system

Teaching Center opened

Department of Child Studies established in the Faculty of Human Development

Kokugakuin Women’s Junior College renamed to Kokugakuin Junior College

Kokugakuin Women’s Junior College was renamed to Kokugakuin Junior College with the transition to coeducation.

New departments established in the Faculty of Letters

The Department of Japanese Literature, Department of Chinese Literature, and the Department of Foreign Languages and Culture Studies were established in the Faculty of Letters. The Department of Socio-Economic Networking and the Department of Industrial Consumption Information (night courses) were established in the Faculty of Economics.

Kokugakuin Kugayama Junior High School restarted

Sagamihara Campus opened

120th anniversary ceremony held

Held on November 4, the 120th anniversary ceremony was attended by His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa. The Faculty of Shinto Studies was established (with a flexible day/night lecture system). “Establishment of a National Learning Institute for the Dissemination of Research on Shinto and Japanese Culture” was selected for the 21st Century Center of Excellence Program.

Kokugakuin University’s 120th anniversary exhibition at the head branch of Tokyu Department (November 2002)

Department of Business Management established in the Faculty of Economics

The Department of Business Management was established in the Faculty of Economics. The Faculty of Economics, Department of Chinese Literature, Department of Foreign Languages and Culture Studies, and Department of Philosophy switched to a seven-period system, while the Department of Japanese Literature and the Department of History switched to a flexible day/night lecture system.

Construction of the Wakagi Tower completed

Construction work on the Wakagi Tower (18 floors above ground and one basement level) was completed in May.

Construction of Wakagi Tower completed

Faculty of Human Development established

The Faculty of Human Development was established in April at the Yokohama Tama-Plaza Campus. The Institute for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning was opened. Kokugakuin Junior College was renamed Kokugakuin University Hokkaido Junior College. Construction work on Building No.3 was completed in September.

The Shibuya Campus today

Monument unveiling ceremony

Center of Kojiki Studies estabilished

The Faculty of Economics was reorganized into two departnents,the Department of Economics and the Department of Business Management

Faculty of Tourism and Community Development established

The Faculty of Tourism and Community Development was established in April at the Yokohama Tama-Plaza Campus.