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Japan Under the Shoguns
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Japan Under the Shoguns
📚 Part 1: Warm-up & Vocabulary
1. What do you already know about Japan? Write 2–3 things (samurai, anime, food, games, culture, etc.).
2. Vocabulary: Match the words (A–E) to the correct meaning (1–5).
A. Samurai
B. Shogun
C. Daimyo
D. Emperor
E. Feudal
1. Local lords who ruled lands and hired samurai
2. A system of government where land is exchanged for service and loyalty
3. The hereditary sovereign, a symbol of Japan
4. Professional warriors who served lords
5. The military ruler who held real political power
⚖️ Part 2: Power, Geography & Short Tasks
3. Who had the most REAL power? (brief answer)
4. Why was the emperor still important? (brief answer)
5. Which class would have the hardest life? Explain in one sentence.
6. Which role would YOU choose and why? (samurai, daimyo, shogun, emperor)
7. Geography quick task: How might living on mountainous islands affect life in Japan? (short answer)
🗺️ Part 3: Clear Timeline Activity
8. Create a timeline of Japan's historical periods. Fill in the boxes below with the names of the periods in chronological order, write the corresponding dates, and add a small icon for each period.
[ Nara ] ⟶ [ Heian ] ⟶ [ Kamakura ] ⟶ [ Muromachi ] ⟶ [ Tokugawa ]
Write the dates and draw a small icon for each period.
9. Match each period to a short description or image hint. Draw a line from the period (left) to the correct description (right).
A. Nara
B. Heian
C. Kamakura
D. Muromachi
E. Tokugawa
1. Early capital period with strong Buddhist influence and big temples
2. Court culture, poetry and art—capital at Heian (Kyoto)
3. First shogunate government; samurai begin to dominate politics
4. Period of regional war and the rise of samurai culture (Ashikaga rule)
5. Long running shogunate that unified Japan and brought stability
10. Reflection (one sentence): Which period would you like to learn more about and why?
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