Nippon Decimal Classification
The Nippon Decimal Classification (NDC, also called the Nippon Decimal System) is a system of library classification developed for mainly Japanese language books maintained by the Japan Library Association since 1956. It is based on the Dewey Decimal System. The system is based upon using each successive digit to divide into nine divisions with the digit zero used for those not belonging to any of the divisions.
Main classes
The system is made up of ten categories:
- 000 General
- 100 Philosophy
- 200 History
- 300 Social sciences
- 400 Natural sciences
- 500 Technology and engineering
- 600 Industry and commerce
- 700 Arts
- 800 Language
- 900 Literature
Description of the classes
000 General
The General category contains books that contain general information, rather than information about specific topics. The sub-categories of the General category are:
- 010 Libraries, Library & information science
- 020 Books, Bibliography
- 030 Encyclopaedias
- 040 General collected essays
- 050 General serial publications
- 060 Organizations
- 070 Journalism, Newspapers
- 080 General collections
- 090 Rare books, Local collections, Special collections
100 Philosophy
The Philosophy category contains books that contain information regarding philosophy, religion, and psychology. The sub-categories of the Philosophy category are:
- 110 Special treatises on philosophy
- 120 Oriental philosophy
- 130 Western philosophy
- 140 Psychology
- 150 Ethics & morals
- 160 Religion
- 170 Shintoism
- 180 Buddhism
- 190 Christianity
200 History
The History category contains books that contain information regarding local and foreign history. The sub-categories of the History category are:
- 210 History of Japan
- 220 History of Asia and the Orient
- 230 History of Europe and the West
- 240 History of Africa
- 250 History of North America
- 260 History of South America
- 270 History of Oceania & Polar regions
- 280 Biography
- 290 Geography, Topography, Travel
300 Social Sciences
The Social Sciences category contains books that contain information regarding modern day society, such as government systems and cultural traditions. The sub-categories of the Social Sciences category are:
400 Natural Sciences
The Natural Sciences category contains books that contain information regarding the natural world, such as plants, animals, and natural laws, such as math and physics. The sub-categories of the Natural Sciences category are:
- 410 Mathematics
- 420 Physics
- 430 Chemistry
- 440 Astronomy, Space science
- 450 Earth science
- 460 Biology
- 470 Botany
- 480 Zoology
- 490 Medicine, Pharmacology
500 Technology & Engineering
The Technology & Engineering category contains books that contain information regarding man-made scientific achievements. The sub-categories of the Technology & Engineering category are:
- 510 Construction, Civil engineering
- 520 Architecture
- 530 Mechanical engineering, Nuclear engineering
- 540 Electrical & Electronic engineering
- 550 Maritime & Naval engineering
- 560 Metal & Mining engineering
- 570 Chemical technology
- 580 Manufacturing
- 590 Domestic arts and sciences
600 Industry and Commerce
The Industry and Commerce category contains books that contain information regarding business, products, transportation systems, and money. The sub-categories of the Industry and Commerce category are:
- 610 Agriculture
- 620 Horticulture
- 630 Silk industry
- 640 Animal husbandry
- 650 Forestry
- 660 Fishing
- 670 Commerce
- 680 Transportation & Traffic
- 690 Communications
700 Arts
The Arts category contains books that contain information regarding various art forms, such as paintings, writing, and music. The sub-categories of the Arts category are:
- 710 Plastic arts (sculpture)
- 720 Painting & Calligraphy
- 730 Engraving
- 740 Photography & Printing
- 750 Craft
- 760 Music & Dance
- 770 Theatre, Motion Pictures
- 780 Sports, Physical Education
- 790 Recreation, Amusements
800 Language
The Language category contains books that contain information regarding various languages spoken around the world. The sub-categories of the Language category are:
900 Literature
The Literature category contains books with fictional content, such as romance novels and adventure stories. The sub-categories of the Literature category are:
- 910 Japanese literature
- 920 Chinese literature, Other Oriental literature
- 930 English & American literature
- 940 German literature
- 950 French literature
- 960 Spanish literature
- 970 Italian literature
- 980 Russian & Soviet literature
- 990 Other language literature