Jayna EichelbergerSpreadsheet Student Worksheet
Summer 2001Model: Showing Relationships
Shinto-“the way of the gods”
A typhoon is a severe tropical hurricane that occurs in the Western Pacific. Typhoons often hit Japan in late summer or early fall, causing great damage to the southeastern coast of Japan. In the 1200's typhoons sank Mongolian ships twice and kept them from attacking Japan. People in Japan call the typhoon, "kamikaze," or divine wind. The photo below shows a typhoon approaching the Japan islands.
We have also learned that as part of the Ring of Fire, Japan is often threatened by earthquakes and volcanoes. In fact, the islands of Japan were formed by volcanic activity.
1. What effects might seasonal typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanoes have on a country? ______
______
Study the Natural Disasters of Japan database printout or view it on the spreadsheet. Then answer the questions that follow.
2. What disasters were reported in Japan 1990-1999? ______
3. Which disasters are predictable? ______
4. Are there any ways man can control these events? Please explain. ______Now look at a graph that shows the same information from the database but in a different way.
5. What natural disaster occurs most frequently? ______
The natural forces in Japan are so unpredictable that the early Japanese people searched for ways to understand them. The result was Japan’s first religion, Shintoism. Shinto means "way of the gods." Followers of Shintoism believe that there are nature spirits, called kami, who reside in all things in nature, including rocks, trees, lakes, rivers, and mountains. These spirits could be good or evil. The Japanese people believed in honoring and respecting these spirits through ritual and prayer. Shinto also includes worship of ancestors and great heroes.
6. Look again at the word kamikaze, which is Japanese for typhoon. What does kamikaze mean? ______
Here are some pictures of Shinto shrines. View them and answer the following questions.
a b
7. Describe what you see in photograph a: ______
______
8. Describe what you see in photograph b: ______
______
Photograph “a” shows a sacred tree with shimenawa (sacred rope) around the tree trunk. Photograph “b” is the Kami-dana (the mirror). Its reflection has a special effect on the Japanese. Many historical buildings are found where lakes and rivers offer another version of the buildings in its reflection.
Both photos show how nature is worshipped by the Japanese for its power and beauty. Shinto shrines, like the ones pictured above, and rituals are attempts to control nature by pleasing the kami or nature spirits.
In conclusion, before science explained the occurrence of volcanoes and earthquakes in Japan as a result of location along the Ring of Fire AND before science explained typhoons as a natural event that happens often in Japan; the early people tried to explain these disasters as being caused by nature spirits called kami. The religion of Shintoism was the attempt to control the forces of nature by pleasing the kami and asking for favor through special rituals and the building of sacred shrines.
9. Now, think back to before you understood about the occurrence of thunderstorms. How were they explained to you when you were very small? ______
______
10. Do you have a ritual of sorts you go through before a certain event like bedtime, a sports game, or an important test? If yes, please elaborate in the space below.
Be prepared to discuss the information in the last two questions later in class. Perhaps, it will help you to understand, in a small way, why the early Japanese people developed Shinto-“the way of the gods.”
Project: Pilgrimage Book
You now have the opportunity to pretend you are going on a pilgrimage (a religious journey) to a Shinto shrine. You will need your pilgrimage books we made in Art and the information you learned today. Please view the requirements for your journal entry listed in the table below.
Pilgrimage Book Journal EntryParagraph 1 25 Points / Write a topic sentence describing the reason you are visiting the shrine. Then write at least three sentences telling sensory details such as what you see, hear, feel, and touch while you are there.
Paragraph 2 25 Points / In this paragraph give a very vivid picture of the shrine. Use several adjectives so that the reader can see it “in their head”, too.
Illustration 25 Points / The illustration of the shrine could be an actual shrine you have seen or one of your imagination. It should also match your description in Paragraph 2.
Note: Your completed Pilgrimage book made during Art is worth 25 points.
Before you start…
Brainstorm with your group some of the reasons that Japanese people might visit or build a Shinto shrine.
Where are many Shinto shrines in Japan located?
What might you see, feel, smell, or touch at a shrine?
What are some adjectives that could be used to describe the shrines? Be creative-use the thesaurus or dictionary if necessary.
Assessment Tool for Pilgrimage Book
Pilgrimage Book for ______Requirement / Criteria / Points Possible / Points Earned
Pilgrimage Book / 1. Construction follows directions.
2. Medium used includes ink, foil, and silk embroidery thread.
3. Work is neat.
4. Title is written in Japanese calligraphy.
5. The “About the Author” includes digital photo of author from Japanese fashion show. / 25
Paragraph 1 / 1. A complete topic sentence.
2. Three or more detail sentences.
3. Sensory details included.
4. A connection between natural disasters and need for religion is reasoned.
5. The shrine’s location is appropriate (natural location like a mountain, river, tree). / 25
Paragraph 2 / 1. There are at least three complete sentences.
2. Vivid imagery is created through literal words and figurative language.
3. Adjectives are expressive and not consistently ordinary.
4. Details are consistent with Japanese locale and geography.
5. Descriptions match the details of actual Shinto shrines. / 25
Illustration / 1. Illustration matches Paragraph 2 details.
2. It shows creativity.
3. It is neat.
4. It is colored, unless you use pencil-shading techniques.
5. It looks like an actual shrine or like it could be an actual shrine. / 25
War Lords of Japan
Lesson 3