Kokugakuin University, abbreviated as Kokugakudai (國學大) or Kokudai (國大), is a Shinto-affiliated private research university in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. The university consists of undergraduate departments in humanities and social sciences and a graduate school, and specializes in Japanese literature, history, and Shinto Studies. The predecessor institution was founded in 1882 as an institution of classical and religious learning. Prince Arisugawa Takahito served as the institution's inaugural head. In Japanese, the university uses kyūjitai characters to stylize its name. In government-published materials and several unaffilated private publications, shinjitai characters are used instead to write as "国学院大学".

History

The university's predecessor was the Koten Kokyusho, established in 1882 as an institution for the study and dissemination of Japanese classics and training of Shinto priesthood, based on the State Shinto. In 1890 it was expanded into the Kokugakuin (國學院) that offered courses in literature, history, and Japanese law. It acquired the status of university in 1906. In 1918, it expanded with the addition of preparatory, teacher-training, and research divisions, and in 1927, an affiliated Shinto division was added. The university moved to its present location in Shibuya in 1923, but the original Shibuya campus was destroyed during the Great Kanto Earthquake in September that year. In 1930, the on-campus Shinto shrine was constructed, which stands to this day. After the end of the Second World War, the Kōten Kōkyūsho was dissolved in 1946, and the university itself was reorganised in 1948 with the single Faculty of Letters, comprising departments of Shinto, History, Literature, and Philosophy. University-affiliated Kokugakuin High School was established the same year. In 1950, the Faculty of Political Science and Economics was established, which was reorganised into the Faculty of Economics in 1966. In 1982 Kokugakuin Women's Junior College Division was established (currently Kokugakuin Hokkaido Junior College).

Education and research

Undergraduate Faculties and Departments

Kokugakuin University's Faculty of Shinto Studies is one of two institutions, the other being Kogakkan University Faculty of Letters, that provides courses to obtain kannushi (Shinto priest) qualifications.

Graduate Schools

Junior College Division (two-year programs)

Affiliated facilities

People and organizations related to Kokugakuin

People and organizations

Alumni, professors, and others related to the school are known as In'yū (院友) 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

Campuses

There are also facilities in Sagamihara and other areas.

Shibuya campus, Higashi, Tokyo

Higashi 4-10-28, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to (東京都渋谷区東四丁目10番28号)

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)

Agreements with other universities

Sister Schools

Nihon University: This agreement came about when Nihon University'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'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 listed below operate independently of Kokugakuin University, and exist under a separate incorporated legal entity.

Affiliated schools

Official website