Unit Plan
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Contemporary Japan: Culture and Society

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive site on the culture and society of contemporary Japan, with video resources for learning about urban and rural life, the Japanese family, education and work, Japanese identity, the pop culture of Japan, and traditional...
Handout
ibiblio

Ibiblio: Web Museum: Japanese Art and Architecture

For Students 9th - 10th
This Ibiblio.org site is a thorough description of Japanese art and architecture. There are no pictures, but the writing makes up for this in its extensive history and descriptions.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Japanese Americans

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Japanese Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
PPT
Google Cultural Institute

Google Cultural Institute: Atomic Bombing in Nagasaki Destruction of a City

For Students 9th - 10th
Pictorial essay of the Japanese city of Nagasaki before and after the atomic bombing in August 1945.
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Neh: Edsit Ement: Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson plan, students will consider "Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays." The plan includes worksheets and other student materials that can be found under the resource tab.
Handout
Countries and Their Cultures

Countries and Their Cultures: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides an overview of the culture of Japan. Gives basic information on topics such as geography, ethnic makeup, languages, symbolism, economy, food, customs, social stratification, family life, education, religion, politics, etc....
Lesson Plan
University of Illinois

University of Illinois: Alan G. Chalk Guides to Japanese Films

For Students 9th - 10th
Reviews of 26 Japanese movies that each include a list of suggested reading materials, plot summary, suggested grades, and a brief lesson plan. They are organized into two groups: one for young scholars of literature and the humanities,...
Handout
PBS

P.o.v.: The Japanese Concept of "Wa"

For Students 9th - 10th
Part of a larger P.O.V. site about high-school-level baseball in Japan, this page delves into the meaning of "wa," a code of behavior that underscores the Japanese sense of group harmony, especially as it applies to the team sport of...
Website
Other

Japan guide.com

For Students 9th - 10th
Here you can find a comprehensive travel and living guide to Japan. Content includes a look at Japan's people, culture, and events through the eyes of a tourist. A great place for destination overviews, day-to-day lifestyles, and...
Website
Other

Densho: The Japanese American Legacy Project

For Students 9th - 10th
The Densho Project is a digital archive of oral history interviews, historical photographs and related documents that captures, shares and preserves the experiences of Japanese Americans before, during and after World War II.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Gyotaku: The Ancient Japanese Art of Printing Fish

For Students 9th - 10th
How did fishermen record their trophy catches before the invention of photography? In 19th century Japan, fishing boats were equipped with rice paper, sumi-e ink, and brushes in order to create gyotaku: elaborate rubbings of freshly...
Handout
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Japan Web: Kyo Sensu (Folding Fans)

For Students 9th - 10th
This page gives a description of how Japanese Kyo-Sensu (folding fans) were once very popular.
Handout
Association of Religion Data Archives

Association of Religion Data Archives: National Profiles: Japan

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about religion in Japan, in this Association of Religion Data Archives country profile; includes general facts, history, and religious data.
Article
Other

Anything but Quiet: Taiko in America

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the development of Japanese Drumming, called Taiko in America from 1960 to the present.
Handout
History Link

Japanese Americans in Seattle

For Students 9th - 10th
Abridged history of the Japanese American population in the Seattle area.
Lesson Plan
Other

Kodak: Social Studies Lesson Plans

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
This Kodak site has twelve lesson plans submitted by teachers from every grade level. Each activity integrates photography into the lesson.
Article
Other

Japan Society: Framing Twentieth Century Japan: A Top Ten List

For Students 9th - 10th
An essay, by university professor William Tsutsui, itemizes ten themes that can help make the story of modern-day Japan understandable. Themes touch on a range of issues, including the changing role of women, technological advances, and...
Website
Other

Excerpts From the Writings of Lady Murasaki

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides excerpts of the writings of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of "The Tale of Gengji," providing an interesting glimpse of the woman.
Activity
Other

Japan 101: Sumo Wrestling

For Students 9th - 10th
Japan 101 offers excellent information on the sport of Sumo wrestling. Provides images and a list of winning criteria for the sport.