Mitogaku (水戸学) refers to a school of Japanese historical and Shinto studies that arose in the Mito Domain (modern-day Ibaraki Prefecture).
Under the influence of Ming loyalist thinker Zhu Shunshui (1600-1682), the fundamental approach of the project was Neo-Confucianist, based on the view that historical development followed moral laws.
The Dai Nihon-shi thus became a history of Japan as ruled by the emperors and emphasized respect for the imperial court and Shinto deities.
In addition to Confucianist and kokugaku thought, the school also absorbed knowledge from medicine, astronomy and other natural sciences.
The Mito-shi Gakkai of Mito city, Ibaraki prefecture, is undertaking research into the historical and ideological aspects of Mitogaku.