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[History Quiz] General History Questions You Should Know
History has so many fascinating highlights, doesn’t it?
We often encounter it through stage productions and anime, and the more you learn, the deeper it gets—no matter how much you dig, you never reach the end.
From ancient times to the Heian and Sengoku periods, and into the modern era, history spans a wide range.
Here, we’ve put together a collection of general, history-related content in quiz format.
TV quiz shows have grown popular in recent years, and this article presents a multiple-choice quiz you can quickly browse through to review.
Much of it covers material like what you learned in school, so whether you’re a quiz fan or looking for a study companion, give it a try!
[History Quiz] General History Questions You Should Know (1–10)
Who built Kinkaku-ji?
- Ashikaga Yoshimasa
- Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
- Ashikaga Takauji
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Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi period, unified the Northern and Southern Courts and consolidated the Ashikaga shogunate. He is also known for building the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji) and promoting trade with the Ming dynasty. Incidentally, Kinkaku-ji is a commonly used name; its official name is Rokuon-ji.
Which of the following works was not written in the Heian period?
- The Pillow Book
- The Tale of Genji
- The Tale of the Heike
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The Tale of the Heike
The Tale of the Heike, completed in the Kamakura period, is known as a war chronicle that depicts the glory and downfall of the Taira clan.
What is the single Chinese character written on the Shinsengumi flag?
- courage
- Sincerity
- righteousness; justice; duty; morality; meaning (context-dependent)
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Sincerity
The bushido that the Shinsengumi aspired to is 'Makoto' (sincerity). It conveys the idea of pledging unwavering, truthful loyalty to one’s lord.
Who was the first person sent to the Sui dynasty as a Kentōshi (envoy to Sui)?
- Inugami no Miketa-kura
- Ono no Imoko
- Prince Shōtoku
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Ono no Imoko
In 607, Ono no Imoko traveled to the Sui dynasty for the first time and extensively studied advanced political systems, technologies, and scholarship.
Who is the writer who was active in the traditional performing art of Ningyo Joruri, famous for The Love Suicides at Sonezaki?
- Sugita Genpaku
- Kuroda Kanbei
- Chikamatsu Monzaemon
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Chikamatsu Monzaemon
A figure who gained popularity as a playwright of bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki from the early to mid-Edo period. His work The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, which portrays the desperate love of a young couple, remains well-known today as a kabuki repertoire piece.
Who founded the Edo shogunate?
- Tokugawa Ieyasu
- Iemitsu Tokugawa
- Tokugawa Yoshinobu
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Tokugawa Ieyasu
The first shogun of the Tokugawa clan, who established the Edo shogunate in 1603. He is also known for ushering in the Edo period, which lasted for 260 years.
What is the constitution established by Prince Shōtoku called?
- Constitution, Article 15
- Article 16 of the Constitution
- Seventeen-Article Constitution
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Seventeen-Article Constitution
The Seventeen-Article Constitution enacted by Prince Shōtoku in 604 mainly sets forth the mindset expected of government officials.
What is the date on which the Pacific War came to an end?
- July 10, 1945
- July 21, 1945
- August 15, 1945
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August 15, 1945
Japan accepted the Potsdam Declaration issued by the United States, the United Kingdom, and China on August 10, 1945, and unconditionally surrendered on the 15th, bringing the Pacific War to an end. Thereafter, August 15 was designated as End of War Memorial Day, a day to reflect on the mistakes of the war and pledge peace.
Who was the first Prime Minister of Japan?
- Hirobumi Ito
- Hara Takashi
- Aritomo Yamagata
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Hirobumi Ito
A figure who led Japan after the Meiji Restoration and worked to build a new society. He also devoted himself to establishing the Constitution of the Empire of Japan and was once featured on the 1,000-yen banknote.
Who is Mito Kōmon?
- Tokugawa Mitsukuni
- Mitsunari Tokugawa
- Iemitsu Tokugawa
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Tokugawa Mitsukuni
Tokugawa Mitsukuni was the model for Mito Komon. As the second lord of the Mito Domain, he carried out excellent governance—such as aiding the poor and promoting industry—and was known as a wise ruler.