8B531401 History of Japan: From Prehistory to the Edo Period

Hiroshima University Syllabus

Japanese

Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Morito Institute of Global Higher Education

Lecture Code 8B531401 Subject Classification Specialized Education

Subject Name 日本の歴史（前史から江戸時代まで）

Subject Name
（Katakana）

Subject Name in
English History of Japan: From Prehistory to the Edo Period

Instructor ZHANG JINGXIN

Instructor
(Katakana) チョウ　ショウキン

Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year, Second Semester, Intensive

Days, Periods, and Classrooms (Int) Inte：ECON A208

Lesson Style Seminar Lesson Style
(More Details) Face-to-face

Credits 1.0 Class Hours/Week 　 Language of Instruction J : Japanese

Course Level 1 : Undergraduate Introductory

Course Area（Area） 23 : Arts and Humanities

Course Area（Discipline） 07 : History

Eligible Students This course is intended primarily for special auditing students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian

Keywords History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Culture

Special Subject for Teacher Education 　 Special Subject 　

Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)

Class Objectives
/Class Outline This course aims to promote the acquisition of Japanese language skills and facilitate adaptation to contemporary Japanese society by providing students with a broad understanding of the history of Japan from prehistoric times to the establishment of the Edo Shogunate. Through gaining insight into the historical foundations of modern Japan, students will deepen their understanding of Japanese society and culture. Class sessions will primarily consist of discussions and exchanges of opinions among students based on the themes covered in each lesson.

Class Schedule lesson1 What Is History?
lesson2 An Overview of Japanese History up to the Edo Period
lesson3 Prehistoric Japan: The Jomon and Yayoi Periods
lesson4 The Asuka and Nara Periods
lesson5 The Establishment of Imperial Rule and East Asia
lesson6 The Heian Period
lesson7 Culture in the Heian Period
lesson8 The Kamakura Period
lesson9 Religion in Japan up to the Kamakura Period
lesson10 The Nanbokucho and Muromachi Periods
lesson11 The Onin War and the Sengoku (Warring States) Period
lesson12 The Azuchi–Momoyama Period I: Oda Nobunaga
lesson13 The Azuchi–Momoyama Period II: Toyotomi Hideyoshi
lesson14 The Establishment of the Edo Shogunate I: The Battle of Sekigahara and the Siege of Osaka
lesson15 The Establishment of the Edo Shogunate II: The Bakuhan (Shogunate–Domain) System

Final exam & quizzes will be given.

Text/Reference
Books,etc. No textbook required.

PC or AV used in
Class,etc. Handouts, moodle

(More Details)

Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format

Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review Reflect on how the historical events discussed in each lesson relate to those covered previously. In addition, students are encouraged to explore novels, manga, anime, dramas, and films depicting historical periods of interest in order to deepen their understanding of Japanese history and culture.

Requirements This course is open to international students. Priority in enrollment will be given to students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.

Grading Method Grades will be based on the following criteria: Final Examination (50%), Reflection Quizzes (20%), and Presentations (30%).

Practical Experience

Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it

Message As you study each historical period covered in this course, try to find out what was happening in your own country during the same era. You may also explore major events and developments in other parts of the world to gain a broader understanding of history from a global perspective.

Other

Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

Academic Year	2026Year	School/Graduate School	Morito Institute of Global Higher Education
Lecture Code	8B531401	Subject Classification	Specialized Education
Subject Name	日本の歴史（前史から江戸時代まで）
Subject Name （Katakana）
Subject Name in English	History of Japan: From Prehistory to the Edo Period
Instructor	ZHANG JINGXIN
Instructor (Katakana)	チョウ　ショウキン
Campus	Higashi-Hiroshima	Semester/Term	1st-Year, Second Semester, Intensive
Days, Periods, and Classrooms	(Int) Inte：ECON A208
Lesson Style	Seminar	Lesson Style (More Details)	Face-to-face

Credits	1.0	Class Hours/Week		Language of Instruction	J : Japanese
Course Level	1 : Undergraduate Introductory
Course Area（Area）	23 : Arts and Humanities
Course Area（Discipline）	07 : History
Eligible Students	This course is intended primarily for special auditing students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian
Keywords	History, Ancient History, Medieval History, Culture
Special Subject for Teacher Education		Special Subject
Class Status within Educational Program (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Criterion referenced Evaluation (Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
Class Objectives /Class Outline	This course aims to promote the acquisition of Japanese language skills and facilitate adaptation to contemporary Japanese society by providing students with a broad understanding of the history of Japan from prehistoric times to the establishment of the Edo Shogunate. Through gaining insight into the historical foundations of modern Japan, students will deepen their understanding of Japanese society and culture. Class sessions will primarily consist of discussions and exchanges of opinions among students based on the themes covered in each lesson.
Class Schedule	lesson1 What Is History? lesson2 An Overview of Japanese History up to the Edo Period lesson3 Prehistoric Japan: The Jomon and Yayoi Periods lesson4 The Asuka and Nara Periods lesson5 The Establishment of Imperial Rule and East Asia lesson6 The Heian Period lesson7 Culture in the Heian Period lesson8 The Kamakura Period lesson9 Religion in Japan up to the Kamakura Period lesson10 The Nanbokucho and Muromachi Periods lesson11 The Onin War and the Sengoku (Warring States) Period lesson12 The Azuchi–Momoyama Period I: Oda Nobunaga lesson13 The Azuchi–Momoyama Period II: Toyotomi Hideyoshi lesson14 The Establishment of the Edo Shogunate I: The Battle of Sekigahara and the Siege of Osaka lesson15 The Establishment of the Edo Shogunate II: The Bakuhan (Shogunate–Domain) System Final exam & quizzes will be given.
Text/Reference Books,etc.	No textbook required.
PC or AV used in Class,etc.	Handouts, moodle
(More Details)
Learning techniques to be incorporated	Discussions, Quizzes/ Quiz format
Suggestions on Preparation and Review	Reflect on how the historical events discussed in each lesson relate to those covered previously. In addition, students are encouraged to explore novels, manga, anime, dramas, and films depicting historical periods of interest in order to deepen their understanding of Japanese history and culture.
Requirements	This course is open to international students. Priority in enrollment will be given to students participating in the Hiroshima University Morito Institute of Global Higher Education Study Abroad Program for Students of the Mongolian University of Science and Technology.
Grading Method	Grades will be based on the following criteria: Final Examination (50%), Reflection Quizzes (20%), and Presentations (30%).
Practical Experience
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it
Message	As you study each historical period covered in this course, try to find out what was happening in your own country during the same era. You may also explore major events and developments in other parts of the world to gain a broader understanding of history from a global perspective.
Other
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes. Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching.

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