Curriculum Resources
Japan
Modern Japan
In an account starting in the 1850's, Japan undergoes a rapid transition from a
technologically backward, feudal society to a superior military and economic power.
Hardback $17.96 [SSSS]
The Battle of Tsushima
Unfurls the story of the Russo-Japanese War and the brilliant strategist, Admiral Togo. In
1904, he fused Japanese bushido ( the way of the warrior) with Admiral Nelson's
policy of annihilating the enemy to outmaneuver and destroy the Russian Baltic fleet.
Clearing the way for Japanese expansion, this victory is shown to be a turning point for
Asians by debunking the myth of invincible white supremacy. $99.95 [SSSS]
Warlords of Japan: A Simulation of the Shogun History of Feudal Japan
Representing the six powerful samurai clans of the late 1500's, students compete for the
title of Shogun in this challenging simulation. Student armies move forward by
completing a variety of activities, including writing, accounting, calligraphy, and art
assignments. Success requires strategic thought, careful planning, and also luck, as fate
cards present unexpected events. The simulation contains 35 eight-page student booklets
and a teacher's guide which includes setup directions, daily lesson plans. reproducible
background essays and short tests, and a map of Japan. Players: 20-36 Time: 15-20 hours.
Grades 4-8 $37.00 [SSSS]
The Samurai: Those Who Serve
Activities such as printing haiku on handmade paper and comparing the code of European
chivalry to bushido ("the way of the warrior") introduce the world of feudal
Japan. Based on primary and secondary sources, these teacher-created lessons are
spiralbound in a unit with notes on historical context, a bibliography, and reproducible
handouts (including a reader's theater play entitled "The Tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin")
grade7 $6.75 [SSSS]
Japan: History Through Art and Architecture
Two incisive programs look at the history and significance of the art and architecture of
Japan.
-The High School program discusses common themes (nature, religious beliefs, contact with
other cultures) and looks at how evolving beliefs changes the way divine figures were
portrayed. Includes VHS videocassette, 64-page program guide with reproducible activities.
grades 9-12. 124 minutes.
-The Middle School program demonstrates how foreign contacts, domestic dynastic shifts,
and changes in philosophy and religion were represented in the development of new styles
of art. Includes VHS videocassette, 28-page program guide and 32-page reproducible
activity book. grades 6-9. 71 minutes.
Both sets come with a colorful poster. High School $199.00, Middle School $144.00. [SSSS]
Kamikaze: Mission of Death
Dramatic U.S. combat footage, along with confiscated Japanese training films and
newsreels, offer a balanced view of the kamikaze pilots as both scourge and honored
warriors. Scenes of touching letters home, ritual preparations for their missions, and
deadly suicide runs show these pilots for what they were: idealistic boys embodying the
ethic of the ancient samurai, willing to die for their country, and killing thousands of
U.S. soldiers to prove it. grades 9 and up. $14.95 [SSSS]
Hiroshima
Told through the recollection of six survivors of the atomic bomb blast of August 6, 1945,
not a single scene, fact, or character in this brief but chilling book was invented.
grades 7 and up. paperback. 1-4 copies $5.99 each, 5 copies and over $4.80 each. [SSSS]
Hiroshima-Why the Bomb Was Dropped: A Peter Jennings/ ABC News Report
A sophisticated debate of the issues surrounding the decision to drop the atom bomb on
Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Peter Jennings leads viewers through a labyrinth of complex
diplomatic and military developments in this Peabody Award-winning program to examine the
subtleties of this still controversial issue. Dramatic newsreel footage and extensive
background information on the war in the Pacific provide valuable context for the
decision. Skillfully edited archival films, primary source documents, and interviews with
historians, and experts are combined to raise a years' worth of questions, such as did the
creation of the bomb also create the impulse to use it, and did anybody ever object to the
targeting of civilians? grades 10 and up. $19.98. [SSSS]
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Was Truman's Decision to Use the Bomb Justified?
This thought-provoking documentary examines the enduring debate over President Truman's
decision to drop the atomic bomb on two Japanese cities. Truman's reasoning is contrasted
with critics who cite several alternatives that Truman ultimately rejected. (The
accompanying hardback by Michael O'Neal presents conflicting viewpoints and historians'
hindsight to ask students to decide: was Truman a passive actor on a stage irreversibly
set or did he carefully plan how and when to use the bomb?) 20 minutes. VHS Videocassette,
guide $49.95. President Truman & the Atomic Bomb book $17.96. [SSSS]
Hiroshima: Hallmark/Showtime Presents
April 12, 1945… FDR is dead, and untried successor must hurriedly decide whether or
not to use a new, top secret weapon of mass destruction. Seamlessly interweaving archival
film with deft reenactments, this program dramatically sets the stage for Truman's
momentous decision-taken as Japan's militarists (authentically presented in Japanese with
English subtitles) override peace feelers from their cabinet, reject the Potsdam
Declaration, and vow a fight to the death. The program ends with a compelling sequence on
the bombings from Japanese and American perspectives and "emerges as a searing,
mesmerizing dramatic event; it's about a s good as TV can offer" (Variety, August
1995) Grades 7 and up. 165 minutes. $14.98. [SSSS]
After the Cloud Lifted: Hiroshima's Stories of Recovery
This prize-winning documentary about the aftermath of the U.S. bombing focuses on dramatic
personal stories of survivors: for instance, a boy who saw most of his family burned alive
is now a graphic artist whose popular comic book series educates today's Japanese
schoolchildren about Hiroshima, and a young woman who vowed vengeance against the American
airmen who dropped the bomb found peace after meeting Enola Gay co-pilot Robert
Lewis face to face. Archival footage is juxtaposed with scenes of Hiroshima today, rebuilt
city an emblem of healing that has taken place among the survivors. grades 10 and up 35
minutes. $150.00 [SSSS]
Japan
Underlying principles of harmony, understatement, refinement, simplicity, and
self-discipline are revealed in such works as shrines, silk paintings, lacquerwork,
scrolls, and woodblocks. The synthesis of religion, philosophy, literature, and reverence
or nature is described. 18 posters. $32.50. [SSSS]
The Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand
An essential tool for introducing the world of haiku, this unit will allow your students
to explore Japanese aesthetics and poetry through activities enhanced by slides and poetry
readings. They will come away with a sense of the culture that created this centuries old
poetic form and will experience the satisfaction that comes from creating poetry of their
own. Includes 22 slides and an audio tape. Grades: middle school-secondary. 46 pages.
$32.95. [SPICE]
Japanese Radio Exercises
Your students will join a group of young people from Palo Alto, California, who will
introduce them to simple stretches and warm-up exercises set to music. As they participate
in traditional Japanese "Radio Exercises," your students will learn to count to
ten in Japanese, improve their own fitness, and experience an activity enjoyed by millions
of Japanese in their everyday lives. Includes a video tape. Grades: middle
school-secondary. 16 pages. $19.95 [SPICE]
Religion in Japan and a Look at Cultural Transmission
A study of world history and culture is not complete without a study of the historic roots
and practice of Buddhism and an exploration of belief systems such as Shinto. This
curriculum unit uses individual and small group activities to teach students about these
world religions in a Japanese context. Students will think about the concept of
"sacred" and see how different cultures transmit its meanings over time.
Includes 33 slides. 55 pages. $39.95 [SPICE]
Castle Towns: An introduction to Tokugawa Japan
Are you looking for resources that will complement teaching about the Middle Ages in
Europe? This unit will introduce your students to feudal Japan, its castles, and the towns
that grew up around them. Supplemented with slides of Japanese castles, lesson plans, and
student handouts, this unit will provide you with all you need to teach about this topic.
Includes 42 slides 51 pages. Grades:middle school-secondary. $42.95. [SPICE]
Cooperation in Japan Elementary Literature Series: Part 1
The theme of cooperation is explored through slides of a children's book written and
illustrated in Japan, a cooperative Carp streamer activity, and slides of s children's
sports festival in Japan. An audio tape of the story in Japanese and English accompanies
this unit. 26 pages, 32 slides, audio tape. $42.95. [SPICE]
Haiku Moment: Seeing the World in a Grain of Sand
Writing activities accompanied by slides and an audio tape of haiku and Japanese music
introduce students to the world of Japanese aesthetics and poetry. 46 pages, 22 slides,
audio tape. $29.95. [SPICE]
World Neighbor Series: Japan Grades: K,1,2,3 Explore the customs and contributions of the Japanese. This series is a guide to discover how we all share the same basic needs, but meet them in different ways. Look closely at individual countries as students dramatize stories, sing songs, play instruments, create artwork, and more. 36 pages. CTP 2520 $5.98 [CTP]
CEAS
UCLA Asia Institute K-12 Curriculum Resources
Other Asia Institute Asian Studies
Resources
These Asian Studies resources were originally compiled by Judy Yu, using catalogs and web resources. We welcome your suggestions for additions and hope you will also send us reviews of these materials. Write to Clayton Dube at cdube@international.ucla.edu.