koukun

Kōkun, written in kanji as 校訓 and romanized kōkun, is a Japanese term for a school's motto or creed. The word combines 校 (school) and 訓 (instruction or admonition) to denote a concise set of guiding statements that express the institution's intended virtues and aims.

Typically a kōkun identifies values for students and staff, such as diligence, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and is meant to shape conduct, study habits, and community life. It is often displayed on banners or plaques within the campus and may be introduced at founding ceremonies or during orientation. Some schools publish their kōkun in student handbooks or on official websites.

It is distinct from related terms such as 校訓 (kōshi, the school’s core principle) and 校風 (kōfū, school culture). While kōkun usually emphasizes actionable conduct, 校是 expresses the broader mission and aims, and 校風 describes the prevailing atmosphere. In practice, many institutions use more than one guiding statement.

Historically, the practice grew with Japan's modernization from the late 19th century onward and varies by school. In the postwar period some mottoes were revised to reflect changing societal values, while others retained traditional formulations as part of institutional heritage.

Outside Japan, the exact term kōkun is uncommon, though the concept of a school motto or creed exists in many educational traditions. See also: school motto, education in Japan, and related terms in Japanese educational culture.