This lesson takes 2 days to cover. The presentation is augmented by several short film clips and further information each day supplied by prezi presentations. The first day starts with a writing activity to pull up prior knowledge. After Slide 7, I used the prezi here: https://prezi.com/i1eiqgtb20iz/copy-of-tokugawa-japan/ then play slide 8 and watch a clip of "Memoirs of a Geisha" to end... Day 2 opens with slide 9 and the 1980s song "Turning Japanese", then begin the next prezi at "Isolation and Decline" after students have responded to the prompt on slide 12: https://prezi.com/memztvyt4ew7/copy-of-tokugawa-japan-the-meiji-restoration-and-the-making-of-mod/ ...slideshow is then finished to discuss Meiji Restoration and effects.

1. Tokugawa Japan
Samurai & the Rise & Fall of the Tokugawa Shogunate (Dynasty)
CHAPTER 26 – pages 585 - 592

2. Watch this short clip of the great Samurai
War Epic by Akira Kurosawa entitled:
RAN
(Japanese & Chinese for “rebellion”)
 Kurosowa is famous for taking the stories from famous European
Knight Epics and replacing the Knights and Lords with their
Japanese Feudal counterparts. He simply makes a Lord, Count, or
Duke into a Daiymo, and the Knights become Samurai. In RAN he
adapts the famous story of a father and his three sons’ betrayals
written by William Shakespeare in the play, King Lear. It is perfect
to show the period called “The Country at War” in which treachery
was common and loyalty was for sale. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu used
trickery to win control of Japan in his decisive battle in 1600 C.E.

3. Recall what have your studies covered about medieval Japan?
…and what can you now tell me about this “Samurai Society”?
 Wiggle your desks over to your Elbow Partner
 Together produce a written notebook list to share (groups leaders can confirm correct page # ):
 AT LEAST 5
 vocabulary words OR…
 facts about Medieval Japan
 (circa 500 CE – 1599 CE)
Monday – Tuesday OBJECTIVE: Construct a flow chart (graphic or a bulleted text outline) to describe the
effects of Japanese isolation during the Tokugawa Shogunate had on its culture and interaction in world
affairs after it is eventually forced open by the United States.

4. Japanese Culture
A Feudal Society
Tokugawa Shogunate - 1600
Bakufu (Tent) Government
Japanese have a strictly structured society with
virtually zero chance of changing your station at
birth. Once in control, the Tokugawa Clan closes
off the island and stops all chances of change to
the country of Japan.
How is it different from European Feudalism?
How is it compared to Chinese Society under Ming?

5. Powerful Daiymos
end 100 year civil war
Each ruler consolidates
more of Japan.
Tokugawa Ieyasu
completes power grab
at Battle of Sekigahara
TOWUGAWA SHOGUNATE

6. Tokugawa
Shogunate
Control
Christian
Daiymo oppose
Tokugawa rule
Sakoku Edict
1639

7. 1639
Sakoku Edict
(Closed Country)
What is the Tokugawa Clan
attempting to accomplish
with these new laws?
How does it benefit them?

8. The Floating Worlds of Japan
 Geisha sell a moving piece of art, their elucidated
conversation skills, and their music and dancing.
 Geisha and Teahouses offer a glimpse at a world of
Beauty reinforced by Buddhist and Shinto beliefs.
 Write notes of what skills the geisha in the movie
clip have developed to entice financial support.

9. Mr. Bersick is turning Japanese…
“I really think so…”
The Vapors
“Turning Japanese”
(1980)

10. “Gunboat Diplomacy” - Commodore Perry forces Japan to trade
The effect of Gunboat
Diplomacy is not forgotten
by Japan and later becomes
a preferred style of
international diplomacy and
policy by the Japanese.
Treaties forged by cannon
fire! This rapid militarization
on an industrial scale leads
to a thirst for natural
resources and expansionistic
policies by the Japanese
which leads to USA defeat at
Pearl Harbor and our
entrance into a World War to
settle Pacific supremacy

11. Commodore Perry of USA Navy
a “Southern Barbarian”

12. Change Over Time: Japan
 ELBOW PARTNERS!
I. Does this island country, this “Secret Empire”,
benefit from the 250 years of complete
isolation from all outside influence and the
creation of their utopian society?
II. What is the other country and empire we
recently discussed in this region of the world
that instituted an isolationist policy? How well
did it work for them?

13. Samurai are “overthrown” to restore Emperor
Emperor Meiji (Enlightened Ruler) modernizes
 Carrying Swords is outlawed
 Foreign professionals are hired to modernize military, industry, transport, architecture, politics
 Traditional roles in society are abolished – Japan becomes “classless” society – social mobility possible
 Some Samurai oppose modernization and stage rebellion – Wednesday we watch Hollywood’s rendition
 All males required to serve in military
 Samurai code of BUSHIDO taught to common soldiers – leads to merciless warfare tactics – KAMAKAZI
 Citizens must swear Oath of Fealty to Emperor and Imperial Japan – life is in service of country
 1000 years of warrior supremacy leaves cultural mark – international interactions are usually violent
 Expansionistic policy is based on Nationalistic and cultural superiority views fueled by need for resources

14. Satsuma Rebellion - Battle of Shiroyama
The Battle of Shiroyama was the final engagement of the Satsuma
Rebellion (1877) between the Imperial Japanese Army and the few
remaining samurai who were left from the original 4,000 who
rebelled against the government. They were opposed to any
reforms that were destroying the traditional culture of Japan.
Hollywood drew upon the events in
“The Last Samurai”
Samurai Imperial Army
Saigo Takamori General Yamagata Aritomo
350-400 men 30,000 men

15. Watch this dramatic recreation of the
Battle of Shiroyama!!
Compare it to what you see
Hollywood deliver in the final scenes:
“The Last Samurai”

16. Testing the Waters…
 Main military focus is on NAVAL POWER (Japan is an island, right?? What other island country is Naval Power?)
 Japan tests its military against Qing China in 1894 in Korea and wins (Friday’s lesson)!
 Korea becomes Japanese controlled puppet state and staging ground for invasion of Manchuria
 Invasion of Manchuria incites war with European power – Czarist Russia
 Russian loss leads to civilian unrest and series of revolutions – NEXT WEEK!!

17. Russo – Japanese War proves Japan is a POWER!

18.  We stand in Tokyo today reminiscent of our countryman,
Commodore Perry, ninety-two years ago. His purpose was
to bring to Japan an era of enlightenment and progress,
by lifting the veil of isolation to the friendship, trade and
commerce of the world. But alas, the knowledge thereby
gained of Western science was forged into an instrument
of oppression and human enslavement
On September 2, 1945 the Japanese and American delegates met on the deck
of the U.S.S. Missouri as it anchored in Tokyo Bay for the ceremony ending
the war. At this ceremony, General Douglas MacArthur evoked Perry's name in
his speech: