Curated OER
Feudal Powers in Japan
A traditional textbook chapter focuses on feudal powers in Japan, and includes vocabulary, note-taking tips in the sidebar, main ideas, and follow-up assessment questions. It also incorporates opportunities for art analysis and geography...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan for Japan
The effect of cultural beliefs on the progress and industrialization of a society is an interesting idea to consider, and this is certainly true in this lesson on feudal Japan. Your young historians will read informational texts on...
Curated OER
Lesson: The Significance of Symbols in Japan
A fabulous Samurai suit of armor is the inspiratoin for a creative reseach project and presentation. Kids research the symbols found on the Samurai armor, describing the symbols meaning or significance in Japanses culture.
Curated OER
Feudal Japan
An excellent overview of historical Japanese culture, this presentation could carry through a world history unit or a lesson on the history of Japan. Especially interesting are the slides that compare Japanese armor and castles to other...
Curated OER
Who Were the Samurai?
Young scholars research Samurai using the Internet. They compare and contrast the research information with each other.
Curated OER
The Truth about Knighthood and Japanese and European Feudalism
For this Medieval Times worksheet, students read 3 articles about Knighthood, chivalry, European feudalism, Japanese feudalism, and Samurai. Students then respond to 20 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Japan
In this Japan worksheet, students read a 2 page article on Japan, answer 3 facts about Japan with multiple choice answers, fill in 4 blanks in 4 statements and answer two statements as true or false.
Curated OER
Feudal Japan and the Samurai
Students study the similarities of Feudal Japan and Europe. They show the feudal society of Japan, recognize the role of the samurai and identify the code of bushido.
Curated OER
Haiku - Poetry of the Samurai Warrior
Learners research the Samurai and their Haiku Writings. Students use internet research to gather information about the ancient Japanese Samurai. The learners then create individual Haiku writings, and a cultural day is designated when...
Curated OER
Destiny Determined: Power & Ritual in Asia
Students brainstorm a list of symbols that represent our cultural values. They research symbols of China and Japan. Students create a timeline showing how symbols have evolved in these two countries. They view the video "Showing the...
Curated OER
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
Students are introduced to the time of the samurai warriors using the guided reading of "The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks". The teacher reads the story to the students and they make connections from the text about the history of the samurai.
Curated OER
Who Were The Samurai?
Learners discover more information about samurai. They use primary and secondary sources to explain the samurai more clearly. They examine their role in society and disregard preconceptions.
Curated OER
Narrow Road to the Interior
Students investigate the life and work of the Japanese poet, Matsuo Basho as the Japanese poetic forms are studied. Nature, symbolism, and history are probed as the instructional activity is developed.
PBS
Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
Other
Tokugawa Art Museum
The home page for the Tokugawa Art Museum in Nagoya. There are many examples of Japanese art from many cultures and periods in Japan's history.
Columbia University
Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit
This unit from the extensive Asia for Educator's site provides audio, video and lecture materials from well-credentialed Asian studies professors to explore Japan's medieval period, from 1000-1500 A.D. Topics include the Samurai,...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Samurai Japan
A description of the culture and traditions of the samurai in medieval Japan.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Short Sword (Wakizashi) and Long Sword (Katana)
Sword making is a highly refined and respected art in Japan, part of a ritualized process requiring decades of training. View two examples and read the background of the importance of swords to the Japanese people.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: An Introduction to the Samurai
Learn about the origins of the Samurai, The First Warrior Government (The Kamakura Shogunate, 1185-1333, The Second Warrior Government: The Ashikaga Shogunate of the Muromachi Period (1338-1573), The Third Warrior Government: the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Haniwa in the Form of a Warrior
This object is a haniwa (lit. "clay ring"), a type of funerary article made during the Kofun era (300-552). Many kinds of haniwa have been found, including both simple clay cylinders and more elaborate forms, such as human figures,...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Dog Chasing
The painting "Dog Chasing" depicts the activity of dog chasing which was one of three archery drills popular during the Edo period. View the picture and read a description in this essay.
Other
Military items.com: Samurai Armor Anatomy
A description of how Samurai armor was constructed and a diagram provides a view of the armor and a labelling of its different components.
Other
Electric Samurai: Cobweb Castle
Contains still images of Samurai statues and interactive QuickTime video files to view various shrines and castles in Japan. Also includes links to additional information, many of which are in Japanese.