In 1854, Japan surrendered to the might of Commodore Perry’s Black Ships with the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa, ending the country’s long isolation under sakoku . Proving that such a famous event actually took place requires unearthing numerous historical documents and going through various different steps. To then contextualize the signing of the Convention of Kanagawa within the broad framework of East Asia may bring to light new aspects that differ from previous understanding.

Anyone who has sat through history lessons at school will have studied history by reading books written by historians. At university, however, students are required to independently establish their own study themes, gather original historical sources, and reach unique conclusions through their own methods. This course comprises seminars and lectures, which cover each era of Japanese history, to help students develop the basic skills required for historical research. Having learned these skills, students are asked to present their own views in the form of a graduation thesis.

The department is alive with vigorous debate among its graduate and undergraduate students. “Study tours” are customarily organized in the spring and autumn. Students are expected to develop their academic abilities through various means.

Website:NEW　https://www.let.osaka-u.ac.jp/nihonshi/
※（ https://sites.google.com/site/osakauniversitynihonshi/ ）

Professors

IIZUKA, Kazuyuki (Ph.D.)

Modern History of Japan; The Popular Rights Movement, Local Politics and a Local Autonomy System in the Meiji Period

KAWAI, Yasushi (Ph.D.)

Medieval History in Japan

ICHI, Hiroki (Ph.D.)

Ancient History of Japan

BANSE, Akemi (Ph.D.)

Ancient history，The Medieval Period

Associate Professors

NOMURA, Gen (Ph.D.)

Early Modern History of Japan