Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project
Organization Area .............................................................................................................................. 1
Format .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Cover Page:...................................................................................................................................... 2
Japanese Culture Page ................................................................................................................... 2
Samurai Culture Page .................................................................................................................... 2
Research Page.................................................................................................................................. 3
Samurai Resume ............................................................................................................................. 3
Rubric............................................................................................................................................... 3
Samurai Resume Format .................................................................................................. 4
Research Possibilities for the Japanese Samurai Portfolio ............................................................. 5
Pictures and Charts ............................................................................................................................ 6
Questions
Organization Area: What topics are you going to use?
Cultural Japan
Samurai
Research
1.
Application Job
2.
3.
1
Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project
Format
This project uses two file folders combined to create five panels of information. Each panel is described
below, and the outline and format should be followed. There is room for creativity and expression, and
the student will be able to show what he/she knows about the era of the samurai in Medieval Japan.
Step 1: Create the Portfolio by attaching the two folders.
Step 2: Design your Portfolio on a separate piece of paper
- Use the packet to organize your thoughts
- Use your notes to see where more information is needed
Step 3: Use the cut-outs and this outline to FILL ALL FIVE PAGES of the portfolio.
Step 4: Include captions on the pictures and check your writing for mistakes.
Cover Page: You are the samurai
1. Picture of you as a samurai. Include 5-7 descriptions of what is in the picture.
Katana
Click to see
videos!
Armor
2. YOUR NAME and Period
3. 10 words in Japanese that are important this unit.
Japanese Culture Page: Include 3 elements of Japanese culture from this list.
1. For each item:
A. Include one picture
B. Include three to five (3-5) sentence descriptions
2. Decorate the page
Tea ceremony
Mt. Fuji
Oragami
Haiku
Geisha
Rock gardens
Katana
Timeline of Japan
Map of Japan
-4 islands
-5 cities
Social hierarchy
Samurai Culture Page: Describe the training and lifestyle of a samurai.
Others
1. Mental Training
Art, style of dress,
A. Choose one picture to show how a samurai prepares his mind.
literature, religion
-Include 7 thought bubbles to show seven things that a samurai thinks about.
B. Choose one picture to show how a samurai prepares physically.
-Make a list of 7 items that will help a samurai to train.
No Fear
Physical Training
1. martial arts
2. fight in battle
3. use katana
I will die today
2
Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project
Research Page: Investigate one resource (book, magazine, movie, website, etc.) about Japan or
the samurai.
1. Write a 7-10 sentence paragraph (typed is preferred) describing what you
learned from the research. Be sure to answer these two questions:
A. What did you learn about Japan?
B. How did the research connect to the honor and pride of the Japanese?
2. Include one picture of your research:
Book: draw or print the book cover or a scene from the book
Movie: draw or print the movie poster or a scene from the movie
Webpage: draw or print an item from the web
Magazine: cut-out or draw an item from the magazine
Samurai Resume: Describe your skills as a samurai for the daimyo to read.
Rubric
25: Excellent
22: Good Work
19: OK, but
not great
The writing is
complete, but
does not show
much
information or
interest.
15: Very little
effort
The writing is
not complete,
but shows some
interest or
information.
Content
The writing is
complete,
informative, and
shows interest in
the subject.
The writing is
complete, shows
some
information, and
some interest.
Effort
The student took
time to produce a
quality assignment.
The assignment
shows some
effort, with some
mistakes.
The assignment
shows effort
with many
mistakes.
The assignment
shows little
effort and many
mistakes.
Research
The research is
interesting and
informative. The
research page is
complete.
The research is
interesting and
informative.
The research is
interesting and
informative, but
the page is
missing
something.
The research
page has some
information but
is mostly
incomplete.
Creativity
The student shows
pride in their work
and the portfolio is
decorated on every
page.
The student
shows pride in
their work and
the portfolio is
decorated.
The student
shows pride in
their work, and
some of the
portfolio is
decorated.
The students
show little
pride and there
is little
decoration.
3
Samurai Resume Format
Do you have what it takes to be a samurai? This assignment is fictional (make-believe) and should show
creativity in your answers. The goal is to show that you know what makes a good samurai.
1. What job are you applying for? _________________________________________
2. What do you want to do in this job?
3. What are three jobs in the past that show you are ready for this position?
Job 1:
Accomplishments:
Job 2:
Accomplishments:
Job 3:
Accomplishments:
4. What skills do you have and why is this helpful?
Skill 1: __________________:
Skill 2: __________________:
Skill 3: __________________:
4
Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project
Research Possibilities for the Japanese Samurai Portfolio
Books
Tales from Japan (Oxford Myths and Legends) by Helen and William McAlpine
Japan Ai: A Tall Girl's Adventures In Japan by Aimee Major Steinberger
Dave Barry Does Japan by Dave Barry
Tales of Old Japan: Folklore, Fairy Tales, Ghost Stories and Legends of the Samurai by A. B.
Mitford
A Thousand Years of Love by Avia Belle Moon
Rain Song by Alice J. Wisler
Kwaidan: Ghost Stories and Strange Tales of Old Japan by Lafcadio Hearn, Yasumasa Fujita,
Oscar Lewis
Magazines
National Geographic: Japan’s Imperial Palace, The Samurai Way, Mt. Fuji
Discover Magazine
Travelers World
Websites
Culture:
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/index.html
Culture:
http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/index.html
Mt. Fuji:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0208/feature3/
Mt. Fuji: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/japan/mt-fuji.htm
National Geographic: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/
Encyclopedia: http://www.encyclopedia.com
Movies
The Hidden Blade (2004)
Twilight Samurai (2002)
When the Last Sword is Drawn(2003)
Heaven and Earth (1990)
Ran (1985)
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
The Last Samurai (2003)
5
Japanese Samurai Portfolio Project
Pictures and Charts
6
7
8
9
10