This independent study course for college credit is a study of Japanese civilization. The nine lessons that comprise the course are: 1. The Origins of the Civilization: From Primitive to Early Classical Times; 2. The Classical Tradition I: The Religion and Aesthetics of Classical Times; 3. The Classical Tradition II: A View of Court Life through Literature; 4. The Medieval Tradition I: The Warrior and His Religious Beliefs; 5. The Medieval Tradition II: Zen and Late Medieval Culture; 6. The Early Modern Tradition I: The Warrior and His Moral Code; 7. The Early Modern Tradition II: The Townspeople and Their Culture; 8. The Modern Tradition I: The Meeting with the West; and 9. The Modern Tradition II: A View of Modern Japan through Literature. A concluding statement and glossary are given. (CK)