Learning Exercise

Discovering Edo

In the early 1600s, the Tokugawa Shogunate emerged, bringing a period stability and enlightenment to Japan for about 300 years. During the Tokugawa rule, the capital Edo became a city flourishing with prosperity and cultural importance which rivaled its European counterparts. Using the website, "Edo Japan, A Virtual Tour," (http://www.us-japan.org/edomatsu/), learners will discover more about this great city.

Course: Global Studies

Material:: Edo Japan, A Virtual Tour
Date last modified:: February 8, 2007
Created by:: Linden Kendrick
License:

Edo Japan, A Virtual Tour

A complex and highly detailed virtual tour of 18th century Edo (now Tokyo) using traditional Japanese woodblock prints... see more

Material Type:: Simulation
Author:: Ken Matsushima, National Association of Japanese-American Societies
User Rating:: 5 stars

Exercise

Go to the website: http://www.us-japan.org/edomatsu/ Read the introductory and complete the following parts. PART I As you navigate through the website, visit each location on the map and define these key Japanese terms: Juku Kabuki samurai code of Bushido Sengoku Jidai Roju Daimyo Shogun Bakufu PART II Click on the map and select the following locations to answer the questions below. Edo-jo 1.What year did construction for the Edo castle begin? 2.Who was the castle built by? 3.What year was the castles construction completed? 4.Why wasnt the main tower restored after the Great Meireki Fire? Yushima 1.What is the literacy rate in urban areas? 2.Who believed that education should be available to all people of Edo, not just to the samurai class? 3.A majority of lower-class people were able to receive an education due to this shogun contributing funds to help expand the temple schools. Who was he? 4.True or False: Females were not able to receive an education at the temple schools. Asakusa 1.According to the legend, what year was the Asakusa Kannon temple founded? 2.Asakusa Kannon temple became the official family temple of what family? 3.What is considered to be Japan's native religion? 4.What two religions play essential roles in Japanese beliefs? Kanda 1.What do many officials in the Shoguns government have homes in Kanda? 2.During the period of civil war, why a daimyos residence was like a small fortress? 3.In Edo, why were there rules on the size of each "private army"? 4.What is considered a symbol of a person's rank and status? PART III You are about to travel back in time to18th century Edo. Choose one of the following areas below, and using the information provided, write a one paged typed letter to your teacher, describing what you experienced and encountered on your visit. Be sure to include a description of your areas geographic location, a brief history, an explanation of the occupations and culture of the inhabitants of this location. Choose one of the following locations: Shiba Kiba Kajibashi Suruga-Machi Tsukuda-shima Ryogoku

Disciplines

Audience

College Lower Division

Technical Notes

Each learner needs a computer with internet access.

Requirements

Before learning about Edo and the Tokugawa Shogun, students would have learned about early imperial Japanese society (500-1100 AD) and feudalism in Japan (1100-1600 AD).

Topics

The capital Edo during the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Type of Task

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to define key Japanese terminology. Students will be able to describe important locations in Edo. Students will be able to locate key areas of Edo on a map. Students will be able to convey the influential culture aspects of the Edo capital in a letter format.

Assessment

When complete, students will hand in answers to the questions and definition of terms to be corrected. The type written letters will also be collected and graded based on grammar and historical accuracy.