Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Students will be able to describe the social structure of Feudal Japan and explain the roles of the various classes, including the shogun, daimyo, samurai, and peasants.
2. Students will understand the major events and conflicts that shaped Feudal Japan, such as the rise of the samurai, the establishment of the shogunate, and the Mongol invasions.
3. Students will be able to analyze the impact of Feudal Japan's isolationist policies and cultural practices on its development and modern-day Japan.

Secondary Objectives:

1. Students will engage in a discussion about the differences and similarities between the feudal system in Japan and in other parts of the world, particularly Europe.
2. Students will develop their research skills by finding and sharing additional information about specific aspects of Feudal Japan that interest them.
3. Students will enhance their critical thinking skills by considering the long-term effects of Feudal Japan's historical decisions and events on modern society.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

1. The teacher begins by reminding students of the previous lessons about ancient Japan, including the geographical features, early civilizations, and the influence of Buddhism and Shintoism. This background information is crucial for understanding the development of the feudal system in Japan. (2 - 3 minutes)

2. The teacher then presents two problem situations to the students. The first could be: "Imagine you are a samurai in Feudal Japan. You have just received an order from your daimyo to go to war against another clan. How would you feel? What would you do?" The second could be: "You are a peasant living in Feudal Japan. How do you think your life would be different from that of a samurai or a daimyo?" These scenarios will help students to start thinking about the roles and experiences of different classes in Feudal Japan. (3 - 4 minutes)

3. The teacher contextualizes the importance of studying Feudal Japan by explaining how its history has shaped modern-day Japan. For instance, the influence of the samurai code of honor, Bushido, can still be seen in Japanese society. Also, the teacher could mention how Japan's isolationist policies during this period have influenced its current global position. (2 - 3 minutes)

4. To grab the students' attention and spark their interest in the topic, the teacher could share two intriguing facts about Feudal Japan. The first could be about the unique role of women, who were often trained in martial arts and could inherit property, unlike in many other feudal societies. The second fact could be about the Mongol invasions, which were the only times in history that a massive force successfully landed on the Japanese mainland until World War II. (2 - 3 minutes)

5. The teacher introduces the topic of Feudal Japan, explaining that it was a time of great social and political change, marked by the rise of the samurai class and the establishment of a military government. The teacher then previews the main points of the lesson, including the social structure, major events, and the impact of Feudal Japan's isolationist policies. (2 - 3 minutes)

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

1. Social Structure of Feudal Japan (7 - 8 minutes)

   • The teacher begins by explaining that the feudal system of Japan, like in many other parts of the world, was a strict hierarchy. However, unlike in Europe, the emperor in Japan held a largely symbolic role during the feudal period.
   • The teacher then describes the four main classes of feudal society: the shogun, the daimyo, the samurai, and the peasants. It's important to note that the peasants were the largest class and comprised of farmers, artisans, and merchants.
   • The teacher uses a diagram or chart on the board to illustrate the social structure, with the emperor at the top, followed by the shogun, daimyo, samurai, and peasants. This visual aid will help students to understand and remember the hierarchy more easily.
   • The teacher then delves into the roles and responsibilities of each class, highlighting the duties of the samurai to their daimyo, the daimyo to the shogun, and the shogun to the emperor. It is also essential to discuss the obligations of the peasants, such as paying taxes and providing labor to their lords.

2. Key Events and Conflicts of Feudal Japan (7 - 8 minutes)

   • The teacher introduces the rise of the samurai and the establishment of the shogunate as two significant events in Feudal Japan.
   • The teacher explains that the samurai were originally warriors who served the emperor and were granted land by the noble class. Over time, they gained more power and became a class in their own right. The establishment of the shogunate, a military government led by the shogun, marked a significant shift in power away from the emperor.
   • The teacher then moves on to discuss the Mongol invasions, explaining that these invasions occurred in the 13th century and were the only times in history when a massive force successfully landed on the Japanese mainland until World War II.
   • The teacher underscores the impact of these events on the social and political structure of Feudal Japan, including the rise of the samurai class and the increasing power of the shogunate.

3. Isolationist Policies and Cultural Practices in Feudal Japan (6 - 7 minutes)

   • The teacher addresses the isolationist policies of Feudal Japan, emphasizing that these policies, known as Sakoku, were implemented to protect Japan from foreign influence and maintain domestic peace.
   • The teacher explains that during this period, the only contact Japan had with the outside world was through the Dutch and Chinese, and even then, it was limited. No Westerners were allowed in the country.
   • The teacher describes how these policies affected Japan's development, including the preservation of traditional cultural practices and the growth of a unique Japanese identity.
   • The teacher also touches on some of these cultural practices, such as tea ceremonies, Noh theater, and the influence of Buddhism and Shintoism, to give the students a broader understanding of life in Feudal Japan.
   • The teacher wraps up the development phase by highlighting the lasting effects of Feudal Japan's historical decisions and events on modern Japanese society, such as the continuation of Bushido in the code of conduct for the Japanese military and the influence of Sakoku on Japan's modern foreign policy.

Feedback (10 - 12 minutes)

1. Assessment of Learning (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher asks a few students to summarize what they have learned about the social structure of Feudal Japan. This will help to reinforce the information and ensure that all students have understood the content.
   • The teacher then asks students to recall the key events and conflicts discussed in the lesson. This will give the teacher an idea of how well the students are able to connect these events to the broader history of Feudal Japan.
   • The teacher also checks whether students can explain the reasons behind Feudal Japan's isolationist policies and the impact of these policies on its development and modern-day Japan.

2. Reflection (4 - 5 minutes)

   • The teacher proposes that students take a moment to reflect on the lesson. They can do this by answering the following questions in their notebooks:
     • What was the most important concept you learned today?
     • What questions do you still have about Feudal Japan?
   • The teacher encourages students to share their reflections and questions. This will not only help the teacher to gauge the students' understanding but also provide an opportunity for the students to learn from each other.

3. Connecting Theory with Reality (3 - 4 minutes)

   • The teacher then invites students to consider how the knowledge they have gained about Feudal Japan can be applied to understand modern society. For instance, they could discuss how the hierarchical structure of Feudal Japan compares to modern societal structures.
   • The teacher could also ask students to think about how the isolationist policies of Feudal Japan have influenced Japan's current foreign policy. They could consider how this historical context might affect Japan's relationships with other countries, particularly in light of its recent history in World War II and its current position as a global economic power.
   • The teacher emphasizes that understanding history is not just about learning facts and dates, but also about developing a broader understanding of how the past has shaped the present and can influence the future.

4. Closing the Lesson (1 minute)

   • The teacher concludes the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to continue exploring the fascinating history of Japan on their own. The teacher also reminds the students of their homework, which is to research and prepare a short presentation on a specific aspect of Feudal Japan that interests them. This will further enhance their understanding of the topic and develop their research and presentation skills.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

1. Recap and Summary (2 - 3 minutes)

   • The teacher starts by summarizing the main points covered during the lesson. This includes the social structure of Feudal Japan, the roles of different classes, the major events and conflicts, and the impact of the isolationist policies.
   • The teacher reminds students about the four main classes in Feudal Japan - the shogun, daimyo, samurai, and peasants - and their respective roles and responsibilities.
   • The teacher then highlights the major events discussed, such as the rise of the samurai, the establishment of the shogunate, and the Mongol invasions, and how these events shaped the social and political structure of Feudal Japan.
   • Lastly, the teacher recaps the impact of Feudal Japan's isolationist policies on its development and modern-day Japan, including the preservation of cultural practices and the growth of a unique Japanese identity.

2. Connection of Theory, Practice, and Applications (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher explains how the lesson connected theory with practice and real-world applications. The theoretical part was understanding the social structure, events, and policies of Feudal Japan.
   • The practical part was the problem situations presented at the beginning of the lesson, which allowed students to apply their understanding of the feudal system to different scenarios and perspectives.
   • The real-world application was the discussion about how the history of Feudal Japan has influenced modern-day Japan, including its societal structure and foreign policy. This helped students to realize the relevance of studying history and how it can provide insights into current affairs.

3. Additional Materials (1 minute)

   • The teacher suggests additional resources for students who want to delve deeper into the topic. This could include recommended books, documentaries, and museum websites that provide more information about Feudal Japan.
   • The teacher could also suggest some specific topics for students to research, such as the role of women in Feudal Japan, the art and architecture of the period, or the influence of Zen Buddhism on samurai culture.

4. Relevance to Everyday Life (1 - 2 minutes)

   • The teacher concludes the lesson by explaining the importance of understanding the history of Feudal Japan in everyday life. They could mention how the concepts of hierarchy and power dynamics are still relevant today, not only in Japan but also in many other countries.
   • The teacher could also highlight the importance of learning from history's mistakes and successes, such as the effects of isolationist policies and the resilience of Japanese culture.
   • Lastly, the teacher emphasizes that studying history can help us to develop a broader perspective, understand different cultures, and appreciate the diversity of human experiences.