A summary of The Tale of the Heike and important characters and themes in this epic which related to the miltary culture of the fourth century in Japan.

In this lesson plan, students use the ocean and their five senses as inspirations to create their own unique haikus. Lesson provides assessment criteria and a list of sources.

This site provides both biographical information and some analysis of Issa's work. Links to significant names.

This poem is followed by a brief commentary. The writer explains images in the poem, and some of Buson's philosophical beliefs which affected the poem.

The SAT subject tests are designed to test knowledge in particular content areas and determine how well you demonstrate that knowledge. Practice tests are available here for: mathematics, science, history, literature, and languages....

This site has a translation of a poem by an anonymous poet in the work.

This is an online photocopy of the original text of the children's book The Silly Jelly-Fish by B.H. Chamberlain (1887), a Japanese fairy tale translated into English by B.H. Chamberlain.

This site features links to the full text of seven novels for young readers by Lucy Fitch Perkins: The Belgian Twins, The Dutch Twins, The Eskimo Twins, The French Twins, The Japanese Twins, The Scotch Twins, and The Swiss Twins.

The Reunion, a novel by Jacqueline Pearce, explores the friendship between two girls and interweaves it with a grandmother's story of her severed friendship with a Japanese Canadian girl during World War II. This teacher's guide includes...

Scroll down this essay from the Universtiy of Virginia to find a transliteration and several translations of a short poem by Ki no Tsurayuki. It is interesting to note the differing interpretations. Be sure to click on the "contents"...

This site describes the development of books during the Meiji Restoration.

This J.K. Rowling's official site -- very flashy, media rich, and fun for children. A much livelier, as the author herself admits, after a recent makeover. Read Rowlings biography (includes pictures), check out the Daily News, and...

Explore the world of Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston through this informative site. Students and teachers will benefit from the featured lesson plans for "Farewell to Manzanar."

Do you know how to write a diamante poem? Check out this site to learn how to accomplish this task. This site features a lesson plan for writing poetry.

This worksheet is a terrific resource for busy teachers. You can print it out to give to your students reading "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr.

This historical fiction lesson plan is for students reading Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, in which they can discuss the tragedy of Hiroshima and its impact as well as other themes.

Provides a biography of Murasaki Shikibu, the writer of The Tale of Genji.

This site has a translation of a poem by Sami Mansei in the Man'yoshu.

The text to poetry written by Kakinomoto Hitomaro is found here.

Provides excerpts of the writings of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of "The Tale of Gengji," providing an interesting glimpse of the woman.

This site from the Pacific University gives a brief but informative look at the life and times of Murasaki Shikibu.

This is a brief synopsis of Yoshiko Uchida's "Picture Bride." You can also find links to related books and study guides.

Lesson plans, e-notes, activities, and other resources are provided for teaching students reading Jack London's The Call of the Wild and his other works.

Use this site to learn more about the life and work of Yoshiko Uchida. This site features several links sites featuring this autobiographical information about this author and her work.