Handout
Other

Shadowofleaves.com: History of Japanese Swords

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow the history of Japanese swords from the earliest times to present. Different kinds of swords were introduced during different historical periods with the samurai sword being the most well known.
Website
Other

Japanese Samurai Goods

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains information about the history of the Samurai sword, different terms that relate to it, and its importance. Spelling errors exist, presumably because of translation.
Graphic
Other

Military items.com: Samurai Sword Anatomy

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive article that highlights each specific part of the traditional samurai sword using text and high-quality images.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: An Introduction to the Samurai

For Students 9th - 10th
This article describes the rise and fall of the Shogunate in Japan. Included are pictures of Japanese art from these periods in Japanese history.
Website
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies

Mocomi: The Samurai: Japanese Warriors

For Students 3rd - 9th
Discover the history of the famed Samurai of Japan. What made them unique? A free registration is required to download material.
Handout
Other

Military items.com: Samurai Armor Anatomy

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of how Samurai armor was constructed and a diagram provides a view of the armor and a labelling of its different components.
Interactive
Other

Electric Samurai: Cobweb Castle

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Other

Tokugawa Art Museum

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Website
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Black Ships and Samurai

For Students 9th - 10th
Imagine seeing gigantic ships bellowing black smoke pulling into a harbor- the kind of ship you've never seen before! Perry and his black ships opened Japan and enabled two incredibly different cultures to meet. Authors provide fantastic...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Short Sword (Wakizashi) and Long Sword (Katana)

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Handout
Other

Karate Do Shotokai Enyclopedia: What Is Bushido?

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains good information about Bushido, the code that the samurai followed.
Graphic
Curated OER

Military items.com: Samurai Armor Anatomy

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of how Samurai armor was constructed and a diagram provides a view of the armor and a labelling of its different components.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs: Japan Memoirs of a Secret Empire

For Students 9th - 10th
A rich site that tells of an ancient kingdom of warriors, tradesmen and artists that would influence the modern world.
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Matchlock Gun and Pistol

For Students 9th - 10th
Owning a pistol was a symbol of a samurai's power, rank, and wealth in Edo, Japan. They were often decorated with the samurai's family crest. View pictures and read descriptions of these weapons.
Graphic
Curated OER

Japan guide.com: Samurai

For Students 9th - 10th
This Japanese guide book site offers general information and history on the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
Graphic
Curated OER

Japan guide.com: Samurai

For Students 9th - 10th
This Japanese guide book site offers general information and history on the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
Graphic
Curated OER

Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinsu

For Students 9th - 10th
This Japanese guide book site offers general information and history on the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
Graphic
Curated OER

The Last Samurai

For Students 9th - 10th
This Japanese guide book site offers general information and history on the samurai, the warrior class of feudal Japan.
Website
Columbia University

Asia for Educators: Medieval Japan Multimedia Unit

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
Graphic
Curated OER

Military items.com: Samurai Sword Anatomy

For Students 9th - 10th
A comprehensive article that highlights each specific part of the traditional samurai sword using text and high-quality images.
Graphic
Curated OER

Military items.com: Samurai Armor Anatomy

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of how Samurai armor was constructed and a diagram provides a view of the armor and a labelling of its different components.
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

Pacific University: Bushido, the Way of the Warrior

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from Pacific University gives basic insight into what Bushido is and what influenced its final structure.