* What is the name of the earliest known culture existing on the island of Japan?
* Murasaki Shikibu wrote what may have been the world's first novel around 1000 A.D. What was its name?
* What was the name of the first Japanese emperor, who ruled around 600 B.C.?
* The official introduction of what religion to Japan was dated at 552 A.D.?
* Which of the following cities has not been a national capital in Japanese history?
* The period from 858 to 1160 A.D. is sometimes known as the late Heian. It also has a more common name, after a court family that dominated the imperial family during the period. What was this court family name?
* During the Kamakura period of Japanese history, which lasted from 1185 to 1333 A.D., what was the greatest external threat for the Japanese nation?
* Many sects of Buddhism became popular in Japan over its many year history. Which of the following was not a popular Buddhist sect at some time or other in Japan?
* People from what European country were the first to reach Japan?
* Who was defeated at the Battle of Okehazama in 1560 , which marked a pivotal point in the Sengoku period?
* The Sohei were quite common in the wars of Asia. Who were they?
* He was the first Samurai to try to unify all of Japan.
* During the time of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the low point of Christianity in Japan, this samurai was tolerant of Christians and even wanted to extend trade with the Europeans.
* He unified Japan, and made several attempts to conquer Korea several times but failed. Who was it?
* Who established the first warrior government, shogunate, in Japan?
* Who was the founder of the Tokugawa Dynasty?
* Which samurai of the Meiji period urged samurais to get rid of their swords?
* Identify the samurai who stated these words, (an excerpt from his autobiography): "I must warn you - I have come here today with every intention of cutting down anyone who stands in my way."
* In the Japanese television samurai drama, "Abarenbo Shogun", the lead character assumes the role of a samurai of low birth called Shinsan, but which Tokugawa Shogun is he actually?