Early Japanese Society
Objective: Students will be able to examine geographic characteristics, cultural diffusion, and isolationism in
Japan in order to analyze how these factors led to the formation of the Shogunate and feudal system in Japan.
Drill: 1. List 2 things you already know about Japan.
1.
2.
2. China was able to remain isolated from the rest of the world because of its natural barriers and beliefs.
a. Do you think Japan will be able to do the same? Circle
Yes
No
b. Why or why not?
Agenda
a) Drill b) Objective
c) Short video clip d) Gallery Walk e) Go over classwork, revisit objective
f) Exit Ticket
Video Clip
Write down a couple things you see that interest you.
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Gallery Walk
Directions: Please use the stations to complete the questions provided on your worksheet. There are 4
stations total. Use the provided example to guide you and raise your hand if you have any questions. You will
have 25mins to complete this gallery walk.
Station: Japan’s Geography
1. What geographical features might lead Japan to remain isolated?
2. How much of the land is good for farmland? How do you think this affected the culture of Japan?
How could this affect the economy?
3. Would you consider Japan’s geographical features “barriers”? Will these features promote
continuity or change in Japanese society? Explain your answer.
Station: Samurai Culture
1. What was the role of the samurai in Japanese society?
2. How did the samurai influence Japanese culture?
3. Why do you think the samurai were given so much respect?
4. Did samurai culture encourage isolation or interaction with other cultures? Explain your answer.
5. How could samurai culture promote the feudal system?
Station: The Influence Of Chinese Culture On Japanese Culture
1. How did China influence Japanese culture? Why did Japan model their government after China’s?
2. How did Buddhism and Confucianism influence Japanese culture? Would these two belief systems
promote isolation or interaction with other cultures? Explain your answer.
3. Which influence do you feel was the most important to Japanese society? Explain your answer.
4. Complete this statement: China’s influence promoted continuity/change because….
Station: Feudalism Erodes Imperial Authority
1. Why did the royal family lose power? What occurred as a result of the royal family losing power?
2. Who were the daimyo? How did they gain power? What system was created through the daimyo
gaining power?
3. Where did the “shogun” come from?
4. Would you consider Japan’s government stable? Why or why not?
5. Do you agree with the feudal system? Do you feel it was the best way to handle the situation in
Japan? Why or why not?
Exit Ticket
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