Objectives (5 - 7 minutes)

The teacher will begin the lesson by outlining the objectives to ensure students understand what they will be learning and what they are expected to achieve by the end of the lesson. The objectives for this lesson are:

1. Understanding the Feudal System in Japan: Students will learn about the social and political structure of Feudal Japan, including the roles of the Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, and Peasants. They will understand how power was distributed and the hierarchy that existed.

2. Exploring the Samurai Code of Bushido: Students will delve into the principles of the Bushido, the way of the warrior, that the Samurai strictly adhered to. They will examine the seven virtues and values of the Bushido and discuss how it influenced Samurai behavior.

3. Investigating the Impact of Feudalism on Japanese Society: Students will consider the effects of Feudalism on the wider Japanese society. They will discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the feudal system and reflect on its lasting influence on Japan's culture and history.

Secondary Objectives:

• Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Through the hands-on activities, students will be encouraged to think critically about the feudal system and its impact on Japanese society. They will be asked to analyze, compare, and draw conclusions based on the information provided.

• Promoting Collaboration and Communication: The group activities will require students to work together, promoting teamwork and enhancing their communication skills. They will be encouraged to express their ideas and listen to their peers, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

Introduction (10 - 15 minutes)

• The teacher begins by reminding the students of previously learned topics that are relevant to the current lesson. This includes the concept of feudalism, social structure, and the role of warriors in medieval societies. This recap serves to refresh the students' memory and provides a necessary foundation for the new content. (2 - 3 minutes)

• The teacher then presents two problem situations to pique the students' interest and set the stage for the lesson. These could be:

  1. How would society function if there was no central government, and power was in the hands of local lords who were constantly at war with each other?

  2. Can a code of conduct like the Bushido still be relevant in today's world, where modern conflicts are often resolved by negotiation rather than physical combat? (3 - 4 minutes)

• The teacher then contextualizes the importance of the subject by explaining its real-world applications. They might mention how the influence of the feudal system and the Bushido can still be seen in modern Japanese culture, politics, and business practices. They could also discuss the broader historical context, highlighting how the feudal period shaped the country's identity and prepared it for future challenges. (2 - 3 minutes)

• To grab the students' attention, the teacher shares two intriguing stories or facts about Feudal Japan. These could include:

  1. The story of the 47 Ronin, a group of Samurai who sought revenge for their lord's death and their unwavering loyalty despite facing persecution. This story illustrates the principles of the Bushido in action.

  2. The fact that during the Edo period, when the Shogunate was in power, Japan was almost completely cut off from the outside world. This isolation had a significant impact on Japan's culture and society, making it a unique case in world history. (3 - 4 minutes)

• The teacher concludes the introduction by stating that today's lesson will delve deeper into these fascinating aspects of Feudal Japan, helping students understand the society, culture, and values of this period better.

Development (20 - 25 minutes)

Activity 1: The Feudal System Game (10 - 12 minutes)

• The teacher will divide the class into groups of 5 - 6 students each. Each group will be designated as a region in Feudal Japan and provided with a set of resources (cards or tokens) that represent wealth, military power, and land.

• The teacher will explain the game's rules: Each group will have to distribute their resources among the different social classes in their region (Emperor, Shogun, Daimyo, Samurai, and Peasants) based on the historical distribution of power in feudal Japan.

• The groups will then discuss and decide how many resources each class should receive. The teacher will circulate the classroom, observing and providing guidance where necessary.

• After the resource distribution, the teacher will present a series of hypothetical scenarios that could potentially disrupt the balance of power, such as a natural disaster, an external attack, or a rebellion among the lower classes. The groups will discuss how their region would respond to each situation and what changes they would make in resource distribution.

• Finally, the teacher will facilitate a class-wide discussion, where each group will share their strategies, the difficulties they faced, and the solutions they found. The teacher will highlight how the decisions made by each group reflect the real-world challenges of the feudal system.

Activity 2: The Bushido Debate (10 - 12 minutes)

• The class will remain in their groups, and each group will be assigned a virtue from the Bushido (such as loyalty, honor, or courage).

• The teacher will present a debate topic: "Is the Bushido, a code of conduct for warriors, still relevant in today's society?"

• Each group will discuss the topic, considering their assigned virtue and how it applies to modern life. They will share arguments for and against the topic.

• After the debate, the teacher will facilitate a class-wide discussion, where each group will share their conclusions. The teacher will draw parallels between the virtues of the Bushido and modern ethical codes, fostering an understanding of how historical values continue to shape our world.

Activity 3: Artistic Expression of Feudal Japan (5 - 6 minutes)

• Towards the end of the development phase, the teacher will encourage students to use their creative skills to depict a scene from Feudal Japan that includes elements of the feudal system and the Bushido.

• Students can draw, create a diorama, or even write a short skit. This activity aims to deepen their understanding of the historical concepts by engaging them in a fun and creative process.

• The teacher will provide the necessary art supplies and allow sufficient time for students to complete their projects.

• Once finished, each group will present their artistic work to the class, explaining the scene and how it relates to the feudal system and the Bushido.

This development phase is designed to be engaging and interactive, immersing students in the feudal world of Japan and encouraging them to think critically about its social structure and values. The teacher's role is to guide the activities, facilitate discussions, and provide necessary information and guidance as required.

Feedback (5 - 7 minutes)

• The teacher will begin the feedback session by inviting each group to share their solutions or conclusions from the activities. This will be a brief summary, with each group given around 2 minutes to present. The teacher will ensure that the discussion remains focused and on-topic. (3 - 4 minutes)

• After all the groups have presented, the teacher will facilitate a class-wide discussion to connect the activities back to the theory. They will ask probing questions to encourage students to reflect on what they learned from the hands-on activities and how it relates to the broader concepts of the feudal system and the Bushido. For example:

  1. How did the resource distribution game help you understand the power dynamics in Feudal Japan?

  2. What arguments did you make during the Bushido debate, and how do they reflect the values of modern society?

  3. How did you portray the feudal system and the Bushido in your artwork, and what aspects did you find most important to represent?

• The teacher will also emphasize any connections between the students' conclusions and the real-world applications of the feudal system and the Bushido, as discussed in the introduction. They will highlight how the skills and values generated during the feudal period continue to influence Japanese culture and society today.

• After the discussion, the teacher will ask the students to take a moment to reflect on the lesson. They will pose several reflection questions for the students to consider:

  1. What was the most important concept you learned today?

  2. Which questions do you still have about Feudal Japan, the feudal system, or the Bushido?

  3. How can you apply what you learned today to understand other historical periods or cultural practices?

• The teacher will encourage students to share their reflections, either with the whole class or in small groups, depending on the class size and dynamics. They will listen attentively, providing feedback and clarification where necessary.

• Finally, the teacher will wrap up the lesson by summarizing the key points and concepts, reiterating the importance of the feudal system and the Bushido in understanding Japan's history and culture.

This feedback stage not only allows the teacher to gauge the students' understanding of the lesson but also provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their learning and articulate their thoughts. It promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter and encourages students to connect what they have learned to their own experiences and the wider world.

Conclusion (5 - 7 minutes)

• The teacher will begin the conclusion by summarizing the main points of the lesson. They will recap the structure of the feudal system in Japan, the roles of the various social classes, and the principles of the Bushido. They will also remind students of the real-world applications of these concepts, emphasizing how they continue to shape Japanese culture and society. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher will then highlight how the lesson connected theory, practice, and application. They will explain how the hands-on activities, such as the Feudal System Game and the Bushido Debate, allowed students to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. They will also discuss how the class-wide discussions and reflections helped students understand the broader implications of these historical concepts. The teacher will stress the importance of these connections in deepening understanding and promoting critical thinking. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher will suggest additional materials for students who want to explore the topic further. These could include:

  1. Books: "The Pillow Book" by Sei Shonagon, a firsthand account of life in the Heian period, or "Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, an exploration of the Samurai code of conduct.

  2. Documentaries: "The Last Samurai" for a fictional but visually compelling look at the end of the Samurai era, or "Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire" for a historical overview of feudal and pre-feudal Japan.

  3. Websites: The Metropolitan Museum of Art's "Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History" for an in-depth exploration of Japanese art and culture, or the Japan National Tourism Organization's website for information on feudal castles and other historical sites.

• The teacher will also encourage students to visit local museums or participate in cultural events related to Japan if possible. They will remind students that these additional resources are not required but can provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of the subject. (1 - 2 minutes)

• Lastly, the teacher will emphasize the importance of understanding Feudal Japan in the broader context of world history. They will explain how the feudal system was a unique form of governance, distinct from the European feudal system, and how the Samurai's code of conduct reflects the values of a warrior society. They will also discuss how the isolation of Japan during the Edo period and its subsequent opening to the world have shaped its modern identity. The teacher will stress that understanding these historical contexts is crucial for comprehending the complexities of the present world. (1 - 2 minutes)

• The teacher will end the lesson by thanking the students for their active participation and encouraging them to continue exploring the fascinating history and culture of Japan.