HIST 4490 Modern Japan: Cultural Experience Portfolio
Students enrolled in this course are required to participate in at least 4 Japan related cultural activities during this
semester and submit a portfolio (a brad folder) consists of four reports.
Your reports must cover at least two different categories from the following:
Category 1: Attend Year of Japan lectures and/or activities (Highly Encouraged!)
Category 2: Visit a Japan-related local establishment approved by your instructor
Category 3: Eat at an Authentic Japanese Restaurant (Limit to ONE report based on this experience)
Category 4: Interview a Japanese person
Category 5: Read a Japanese novel (see the list below)
Category 6: Watch a Japanese movie (see the list below)
Category 7: Participate in other Japan‐related activities approved by your instructor
Your reports must include all of the following (use or consult the forms provided below):
□ Date of the event, site visit, or interview
□ Site and/or Event Name/ Location of interview
Base Grade
5
Additional points
0
□ Proof of your participation such as pictures (include your own 15 (0 for
0
picture at venue), tickets, receipts, etc.
books/movie
option )
□ Description of cultural experience (summary of lecture, book, 20
20 (25 for
movie, etc)
books/movie
option)
□ Your Own Impression / Reflection
20
20 (30 for
books/movie
option)

The inclusion of all of required items will earn you 60 points. 40 points will be accessed based on thoroughness
and thoughtfulness of your reflection.

Your “experience” reports must be typed.

You are required to submit both a printed copy and an electronic copy through D2L dropbox.

Failure to cover at least two categories will result in 20 points reduction from ONE report.
Graded Reports
New Reports
You must submit your portfolio two times during the semester (see syllabus/D2L)
1st time: With report completed.
2nd time: With four reports. No reports will be accepted after this date.
Site Visit and/or Cultural Events Report
Site and/or Event Name:
Location:
The day and time you visited:
Who went with you? (If they were your classmates in this class, provide names)
Who else were there? What kind of clothes do the attendees were wearing?
Briefly describe decoration, architecture and/or any interesting items you have noticed. If possible, ask someone (It
does not have to be a priest, or monk etc. Often another attendee will take you under his/her wing and answer
questions) about significance or meanings behind architecture or decoration.
Describe what you have observed. If possible ask someone about significance.
Give your impression of your experience and what you think it might say about the tradition.
Personal Interview Report
Name of person(s) interviewed:
Location where interview took place:
Day(s) and time(s) of interview:
Summarize the content of your interview.
Give your impression of your experience and what you think it might say about the tradition.
Sample questions:
What are some of major holiday or festivals in your tradition? Could you explain any practices or rituals that are part of
_________________ holiday / festival?
If you were to choose the three most important aspects (beliefs/persons) about your tradition (religion), what would
they be?
Could you tell me about the significance of ________________ (certain item you see)
What do you feel is the greatest misunderstanding concerning your tradition? AND, why do you feel people have this
misunderstanding?
Restaurant Report
Restaurant Name:
Restaurant Location:
The day and time you visited:
Who went with you? (If they were your classmates in this class, provide names)
Provide 2-3 examples of quintessential traditional dish? (Ask the staff/owners)
What are ingredients you have not seen in typical American Cuisine? What are some of typical ingredients to be used?
(Ask the staff/owners)
What is not on the menu? (Are there any ingredients missing? Any taboo food?)
What did you eat? (Please be descriptive ---- In addition to the name of the dish, please specify ingredients and
method(s) of cooking)
Ambiance (décor, music, etc.):
Who else were eating there? (American or non-American customers?)
Give your impression of your experience and what you think it might say about the tradition.
Authentic Japanese Restaurants Suggestions
Umezono (Cobb Parkway / Windy Hill area, next to a Japanese grocery store) http://www.umezono.us/
Izakaya Shoya (Japanese Style Pub; Doraville) http://www.shoyaatlanta.com/index.htm
Yakitori Jinbei (Yakitori / Pub; Cobb Parkway) http://www.yakitorirestaurant.com/
Approved Book List
Approved Book List
DAZAI Osamu, The Setting Sun (Post-WWII) ISBN 10: 0811200329
IBUSE Masuji, Black Rain (Hiroshima) ISBN10: 087011364X
NATSUME Soseki, Kokoro (Meiji) ISBN10: 0809260956
SHIMAZAKI Toson, Broken Commandment (Burakumin) ISBN10: 0860081915
TANIZAKI Junichiro, Naomi (1920s) ISBN10: 0375724745
Approved Movie List
ANPO: Art X War (DVD at KSU Library) ----- U.S.-Japan Relations. Post-WWII
Tokyo Story (Directed by Ozu Yasujiro, 1953)
Kurosawa films
Madadayo (1993) ---- post-WWII.
Rhapsody in August (1991) on Nagasaki
Red Beard (1965) : 19th century Tokugawa era.
High and Low (1963): 1960s