History of the University

As an extension of Bunka Gakuen which was established in 1923, Bunka Women's University was founded in 1950 under the original name of Bunka Women's Junior College (now Bunka Women's University Junior College). Based on its history and tradition spanning over half a century, the university has developed its own educational philosophy and become a pioneer in fashion science and lifestyle design.

Over the years, the university has steadily expanded the fields of study it offers. The Junior College Department of Intercultural Studies was established in 1987, the Faculty of Literature Department of Intercultural Studies and Program in English Language and Literature were established in 1991, and the Faculty of Literature Department of Health Psychology was established in 2000. Also in 2000, the Faculty of Home Economics was divided into the Faculty of Fashion Science and the Faculty of Art and Design. Through the Faculty of Fashion Science and Faculty of Art and Design, as well as the Junior College's Department of Fashion and Department of Living Art, Bunka Women's University has become a nationwide leader in research and development in the fields of fashion design, art and design, and living environment design. Furthermore, the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences produces individuals who can thrive in a global society and make significant contributions to the world community.

With the establishment of the Graduate School, Junior College Extended Programs, and affiliated high schools, junior high schools, and kindergartens, Bunka Gakuen has succeeded in setting up an ideal learning environment as an integrated educational institution. Society has great expectations for our university in the years to come. We shall continue to make the most of the unique educational and research systems of Bunka Women's University and Bunka Women's University Junior College as we forge ahead into the future.

1923	Bunka Gakuen established
1950	1950 Bunka Women's Junior College and Department of Fashion established.
1964	Bunka Women's University, and Department of Fashion in the Faculty of Home Economics established.
1965	Department of Crafts and Design established in the Junior College.
1966	Department of Crafts and Design established in the Faculty of Home Economics.
1968	Junior College Extended Programs established.
1969	Bunka Women's University Muroran Junior College established.
1972	Graduate Program in Home Economics (Master's Level) established. Sumire Kindergarten affiliated with Bunka Women's University established.
1974	Suginami Senior and Junior High Schools affiliated with Bunka Women's University established.
1979	Bunka Gakuen Costume Museum opened.
1983	Nagano High School affiliated with Bunka Women's University established.
1985	Research Institute of Fashion Information Science (now Bunka Research Lab for General Study of Fashion) established.
1987	Department of Intercultural Studies established in the Junior College.
1989	Graduate Program in Home Economics (Doctorate Level) established. Extended Program in Intercultural Studies established in the Junior College.
1991	Department of Intercultural Studies and Department of English Language and Literature established in the Faculty of Literature
1994	Textile Museum (now Fashion Resource Center) opened.
1998	Master's Program in Living Environmental Studies established within the Graduate Program in Home Economics. Master's Program in Humanities and Intercultural Studies established within the Graduate Program in Humanities and Intercultural Studies. New Metropolitan Tokyo Campus 21-story building completed.
1999	Fashion Resource Center opened.
2000	Faculty of Home Economics divided into the Faculty of Fashion Science and the Faculty of Art and Design. Department of Fashion Technology and Department of Fashion Sociology established in the Faculty of Fashion Science, Department of Living Art and Design and Department of Dwelling Environment established in the Faculty of Art and Design, and Department of Health Psychology established in the Faculty of Literature.
2003	Graduate Program in Home Economics changed to Graduate Program in Fashion and Living Environment Studies. Construction of Shinjuku Quint building completed.
2004	Faculty of Literature changed to Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Department of International Fashion and Culture Studies established in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
2008	The Bunka Women’s University Intensive Japanese Language Program established.
2010	Department of Applied Health Psychology established in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences.